TITK 


ANNUAL  SEEMON, 


rRi:ACDSD  BcrcmB 


(ZM)  c American  0 o c i c t n 


FOB  MELIOBATING  THE  CONDITION  OP 


THE  JEWS, 

ON  -MAY  9,  1847,  IN  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 


MERCER  ST.,  NEW  YORK. 


BT  THE 


REV.  WILLIAM  B.  SPRAGUE,  D.  D-, 


01  ALBXinr,  K.  T. 


\ 


MIDDLEBURT ; 
jrsrca  cobb,  fejkxbb, 

184T. 


-i'j 


::/v.  ■ ■ ■ ■ - . : 


. ‘V-’ 


. '.^r 

!>rf  aJv.  «.,  *,W 


V 


- - 4 ----  . . ^ ?« 

1^4-  4f,;;:j:.,  ' ^ 

4i  ;v  S t a t«t 


^ V5 


» • 

V 


'■> 


4'':? 

'■.  -».  .■■y-y *<■..'»  «».>••  ■ .j^.'‘t' » » ',  - ,.-■».  >:': 


f.:- 

V . . ■. 

^ --  r-j*' 7*  V - .r ■' *.i/|C' 

'"  - y ’.  'I*  v:^  • '^.'  ■' 

• - » - ' • :'  ; : i.r  „ -.-V  ‘ 

•' / ‘$“4*.  ■ « ’ ' a»y'rj|iL-  >*-  •■•  -*>i  71 

■■•  - J5 V' 


H’  • •* 

\ - 

t 


, , T'  V •»(»*  , 

«i^'.-^.  t'-i 


^ . Tw  . '2-  - ’ ‘ *5  i.  - 

!•';•  , ■'-•  ••«'>  ,>,|*!.  .ai  ¥* 

*^4*t^§tf;v45y*JAjii  j ■ ,4  fcu\iXaUF  ■;' 

• •*  i'. , - . V'  ^ 'i  “ ■ ' _i.4*.rv  ‘ ■ . 

••  , ;.?  >»l^ ii««i;.i  , ‘ • .-^-a_'( 


S E B M 0 1^. 


NUMBERS  XXIII.  23: 

‘•1.CCOKDING  TO  THIS  TIME  IT  SUA.LL  BE  SAID  OF  JACOB  AND  OF 
ISBAEL,  WHAT  HATH  GOD  WBOCGHT  ! ” 

The  narrative,  in  which  this  passage  occurs,  exliibits  two 
wicked  men  engaged  in  earnest  cooperation,  and  yet  in  some  re- 
spects, with  very  dififerent  feclhigs,  for  the  accomplishment  of  the 
same  evil  purpose.  The  people  of  Israel,  on  their  march  from  E- 
gj'jB  to  Canaan,  became,  to  some  extent,  the  terror  of  the  nations 
tlirough  which  they  passed.  While  they  were  encamped  in  tlie 
plains  of  Moab,  Balak,  the  kmg  of  that  country,  became  alarmed 
for  the  safety  of  liis  nation ; and  forthwith  despatched  messengers 
to  Balaam,  a noted  diviner,  mth  a request  that  he  would  come  with- 
out delay,  and  curse  the  hostile  people  that  were  hovering  upon 
his  borders.  The  message  was  accompanied  by  valuable  presents, 
and  tliis,  to  a man  whose  ruling  passion  seems  to  have  been  the 
love  of  gain,  was  all  that  was  necessary  to  secure  to  the  request  a 
prompt  and  earnest  attention.  But  notwithstanding  Balaam  was 
well  enough  disposed  to  do  all  that  the  king  of  Moab  desired,  yet 
God  miraculously  interposed  his  prohibition ; and  the  prophet,  cor- 
rupt as  he  was,  had  too  much  conscience  to  venture  in  the  face  of 
it  : he  therefore  reluctantly  sent  word  back  to  the  king,  that  he 
could  not  obtain  the  divine  permission  to  comply  with  his  request. 
WTien  this  message  was  communicated  to  Balsi,  he  instantly  re- 
newed the  application,  accompanying  it  with  a more  tempting  of- 
fer ; and  though  Balaam  still  resolutely  declined  doing  anything 
that  should  contravene  the  divine  wUl,  yet  he  showed  himself  more 
than  willing  to  accede  to  Balak’s  proposal,  provided  the  divine  pro- 
hibition might  be  withdrawn.  In  the  course  of  the  night,  while 
the  messengers  were  yet  waiting  for  his  answer,  God  came  to  him 
in  some  miraculous  way,  and  gave  him  permission  to  accompany 
them  on  their  homeward  journey,  but  requiring,  most  explicitly,  a 
strict  obedience  to  whatever  subsequent  commands  he  might  receive 
from  Him. 


4 


At  length  Balaam,  after  a journey  signalized  by  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  events  on  record,  arrived  mthin  the  territories  of  Mo- 
ab  ; and  Brlak,  in  token  of  the  satisfaction  which  he  felt  on  the 
prophet’s  arrival,  went  out  to  meet  him,  and  conducted  him  to  his 
capital,  that  he  might  there  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
the  accomplishment  of  his  object.  The  next  day  the  king  took 
Balaam  up  into  the  high  places  of  Baal,  that  he  might  have  a view 
of  the  people  whom  he  had  been  sent  for  to  curse,  as  they  lay 
densely  covering  the  plains  below  him.  But  behold,  after  they  had 
built  their  altars  and  offered  sacrifices,  and  the  divine  communica- 
tion actually  came,  instead  of  the  expected  curse,  it  was  a glorious 
prophetical  blessing  upon  the  people  of  Israel ; and  Balaam  was 
constrained  to  utter  it,  notwithstanding  tke  disappointment  and 
mortificatian  to  which  it  must  have  subjected  him.  JBalak,  howev- 
er could  not  rest  satisfied  without  another  trial ; and  he  tharefore 
takes  the  prophet  to  the  top  of  Pisgah  ; and  there  the  ceremony 
of  offering  sacrifices  is  repeated  ; and  another  meeting  takes  place 
between  God  and  the  prophet,  and  the  result  is  just  as  it  was  be- 
fore, except  that  the  blessing  pronounced  upon  Israel  is  still  more 
extended  and  particular.  The  text  is  part  of  this  second  message 
to  Balak,  with  wihich  Balaam  was  charged  ; and  it  expresses,  in 
the  strongest  manner,  God’s  graeious  interposition  for  the  safety 
of  Israel,  amidst  aU  the  perils  to  which  they  w’ere  exposed.  “ Ac- 
cording to  this  time  it  shall  be  said  of  Jacob  and  of  Israel,  "What 
hath  God  wrought !” 

Norivithstanding  tins  exclamation  had  particular  reference  to  the 
condition  of  the  people  of  Israel  at  the  time  when  it  was  uttered,  it 
may  very  properly  be  extended  to  the  general  course  of  God’s  prov- 
idence towards  them,  as  exhibited  in  them  entire  history.  It  will 
be  no  misapplication  of  the  passage,  to  use  it,  as  I design  to  do  on 
the  present  occasion,  in  illustration  of  the  importance  of  this 
WONDERFUL  PEOPLE,  as  tjviiiccd  by  dealings  of  God  towards 
tlicniy  and  the  purposes  which  lie  ctccorrplishes  hy  them. 

I.  Let  us  contemplate  the  deedings  of  God  towards  the  Jews. 
“ What  hath  God  wrought”  for  them  ! What  is  the  character  of 
the  agency  here  referred  to  V 

First  of  all,  I would  say,  it  is  a lenignant  agency.  Wlietlicr  wo 
contemplate  the  past  in  the  light  of  history,  or  the  future  in  the 
light  of  prophecy,  this  rcmai’k  will  be  found  to  have  a manifold  il- 
lustration. 

Look,  then,  at  the  origin  of  the  Jewish  fiation,  in  the  call  of 
Abraham.  God,  in  llis  unsearchable  wisdom,  singled  out  this  ven- 
erable patriarch  fi’om  the  j’cst  of  the  world,  to  become  the  head  of 


'5 


a peculiar  pcojilo,”  tlic  Jopository  of  influences  to  which  no  limit, 
either  of  time  nr  of  space,  couhl  bo  assigned,  it  were,  indeed,  a 
mark  of  sig!ial  favor  towards  the  patriarch  himself,  that  ho  should 
bo  selected  as  th«  subject  for  such  honour  ; but  the  blessing  be- 
stowed upon  Idm  was  a public  blessing : it  was  a blessing  upon  tho 
nation  that  was  to  spring  from  him — a blessing  that  had  in  it  the 
elements,  not  only  of  perj)etuity,  but  of  inereasc  to  the  end  of  time. 
All  the  manifestations  of  God’s  goodness,  not  to  the  Jewish  nation 
OTdy,  but  to  tho  Christian  Church,  through  all  generations,  past, 
present  and  future,  may  be  said,  in  some  .sense,  to  have  originated 
in  tho  coll  of  Abraliam,  and  tho  gracious  promises  which  attend- 
ed it. 

As  the  immediate  design  of  God,  in  this  primary  dispensation 
towards  the  father  of  tho  faithful,  was  to  found  a new  and  distinct 
nation,  destined  to  occupy  the  most  glorious  place  in  tlie  world’s 
history,  so  He  has  carried  out  his  glorious  design  in  always  keep- 
ing up  the  barrier  that  was  necessary  to  secure  their  continued 
identity,  by  preventing  their  commingling  with  other  nations.  There 
was  that  in  the  very  nature  both  of  their  ciril  and  religious  econo- 
my, that  not  only  constituted  a broad  distinction  between  them  and 
every  other  people,  but  that  was  eminently  fitted  to  perpetuate  it- 
self— to  say  nothing  of  the  fact  that  the  truth  and  the  power  of 
God  were  always  pledged  to  the  accompUshment  of  this  end.  Ac- 
cordingly, we  find  that  through  all  the  ricissitudes  of  their  condi- 
tion, and  amidst  all  the  shocks  wliich,  at  various  periods,  seemed 
to  threaten  their  distinct  existence,  God  graciously  continued  to 
them  the  substance  botli  of  their  civil  and  ecclesiastical  economy, 
till  the  fulness  of  time  for  the  introduction  of  a more  perfect  dis- 
pensation had  come.  And  even  since  that  period,  they  still  remain 
one  people : they  cling  to  the  usages  of  their  fathers,  so  far  as  they 
can,  with  unyielding  tenacity  ; and  though  this  may  justly  be  con- 
sidered, in  itself,  not  a blessing,  but  a curse,  yet,  when  viewed  in 
connection  with  the  future,  as  preparatory  to  that  glorious  gather- 
ing and  triumph  which  await  them  in  the  ages  to  come,  we  may  re- 
cognize a beneficent  agency  in  respect  to  thegi,  even  here.  Yes, 
God  has  manifested  his  goodness  towards  the  J’ews,  in  preserving 
them  as  a distinct  people  to  this  hour. 

But  we  shall  not  adequately  appreciate  his  beneficent  manifesta- 
tions in  their  preservation,  uidess  we  consider  also  the  circumstan- 
ces in  which  it  has  been  efiected — the  gracious  interpositions  and 
deliverances  which  it  has  iavolved.  God  saved  them  from  the 
WTath  of  the  Egyptian  kmg.  God  preserved  them  amidst  the  ter- 
rors of  the  wilderness.  God  gave  them  possession  of  the  promised 
land.  God  protected  them,  ago  after  age,  against  the  power  of 


6- 


their  enemiea.  God  reinemhered  them  in  the  days  of  their  exile, 
and  in  the  house  of  their  bondage,  and  set  even  the  heart  of  a hear 
then  prince  to  beating  in  kind  emotions  towards  them,  the  conse- 
quence of  which  was,  that  they  took  do^vn  their  harps  from  the 
willows,  because  the  period  of  their  captivity  was  ended.  And  the 
day  will  come  when  it  shall  bo  said  that  God  has  finally  brought 
the  wanderers  home  : that,  under  His  gracious  guidance,  they 
have  gone  up  to  J erusalem  with  shouts  of  joy  and  thanksgivmg,  to 
perform  the  last  office  allotted  to  them  in  the  regeneration  of  the 
world. 

Let  it  be  considered,  moreover,  that,  while  God  bas  presen’ed 
the  J ews  as  a distinct  nation^  and  while  their  preservation  has  in- 
volved a long  series  of  signal  interpositions  in  their  behalf,  it  re- 
sults from  the  very  purpose  for  which  they  have  been  preserved, 
that  they  have  enjoyed  the  highest  religious  pririleges.  It  was  for 
a religious  purpose  that  they  were  set  apart  ; and  hence  we  find 
that  all  the  religious  light  in  the  world  shone  immediately  upon 
them : that  all  God’s  cemmurrications  were  addr-cssed  directly  to 
them  : that  all  the  instituted  meairs  for  securing  God’s  favor  and 
finally  obtaining  heaven,  were  in  their  possession.  While  the  sur- 
rounding nations  Avere  left  to  the  mercy  of  a dreaming  pliilosophy, 
or  rather  of  the  most  profound  ignorance,  in  respect  to  their  highest 
concerns,  the  Jews  Avere  not  only  Avalking  in  the  light  of  a written 
revelation,  but  they  heard,  or  might  have  heard,  the  voice  of  the 
living  and  true  God,  speaking  to  them  through  the  Avhole  stracture 
of  their  economy.  So  long  as  the  dispensation  lasted,  they  were 
the  sole  possessor’s  of  the  true  rehgion  ; and,  when  Christianity 
came  in  its  place,  her  offers  Avere  made  first  to  them  ; and  they 
Avere  repeated,  and  repeated  after  they  had  been  rejected  ; and, 
blessed  be  God,  noAV,  after  the  lapse  of  centuries,  Christianity  is 
looking  up  these  outcasts,  Avith  a vicAV  to  gather  them  into  tlie  fold  ; 
and  everything  indicates  that  she  avUI  never  intci’mit  her  labor’s  till 
the  Avork  is  done.  Israel  shall  no  longer  be  forgotten  in  the  great 
effort  to  evangelize  tire  world.  The  gospel  is  already,  to  a gr’eat 
extent,  Avithin  their  reach  ; and,  in  the  future  progress  of  the  mis- 
sionary cause,  it  will  be  brought  hr  contact  Avith  the  eye  and  the 
mind  of  the  nation  at  large. 

Am  I not  right,  then,  in  saying  that  it  is  pre-eminently  a benig- 
nant agency,  in  Avhich  God  has  been,  and  is  hereafter  to  be,  passing 
before  the  Jcavs  ? Whether  Ave  consider  the  fact  of  their  being 
preserved  as  a distinet  people,  or  the  wondei’ful  deliverance  inci- 
dent to  their  preservation,  or  the  peculiar  religious  privileges  con- 
ferred upon  them,  are  ayc  not  brought  irresistibly  to  the  conclusion 
that  God  hath  not  dealt  so  with  any  other  nation  ? 


But  it  is  not  more  a benignant,  than  a oorrective  agency.  In- 
deed, the  latter  is  only  a mollification  of  the  former  ; for  though 
correction  involves  the  idea  of  suffering,  yet  it  is  suffering  design- 
ed to  accomplish  a benevolent  purpose.  The  parent  corrects  his 
child,  not  merely  in  obedience  to  the  dictates  of  justice,  but  from 
the  promptings  of  parental  love.  Our  heavenly  Father  corrects 
his  erring  children  as  individuals,  in  testimony  of  their  sustaining 
to  Him  the  filial  relation : “ Whom  the  Lord  loveth  He  chasteneth, 
and  scourgeth  every  son  whom  He  receiveth.”  And  in  all  His  man- 
ilold  Inflictions  upon  the  Jews  as  a nation,  how  manifestly  is  the 
merciful  mingled  with  tho  retributive  ; wliilc  the  evils  which  they 
suffer  fall  far  short  of  their  deserts.  They  are  designed  to  work 
reformation,  and  thus  ensui'C  ])rosperity.  In  other  words,  they 
bear  the  character  of  merciful  corrections. 

The  conduct  of  the  Jews  throughout  every  period  of  their  histo 
ry,  has  been  such  as  eminently  to  require  correction  ; and  hence 
we  find  that  they  have  almost  always  been  under  the  rod.  They 
fell  into  tho  most  degraded  idolatry,  wliilc  they  were  yet  at  the  foot 
of  the  buniing  mount ; and  God  caused  that  the  sword  should  be 
unsheathed,  for  the  destruction  of  three  thousand  of  the  principal 
ofienders.  They  became  tired  of  theiv  daily  food,  which  was  mi- 
raculously supplied  to  them  ; and  though  God  yielded  to  their  im- 
patience by  giving  them  flesh,  he  punished  it  by  sending  also  the 
plague.  They  foolishly  credited  the  evil  report  of  the  spies  con- 
cerning the  promised  land — thus  "virtually  pouring  contempt  upon 
the  divine  testimony  ; and  for  this  God  condemned  them  to  wan- 
der in  the  wilderness  forty  years,  till  that  whole  generation,  with 
only  two  exceptions,  had  passed  away.  They  resisted  the  divine 
will  in  attempting  prematurely  to  enter  Canaan : the  consequence 
of  which  was,  that  they  experienced  a terrible  discomfiture  at  the 
hand  of  the  neighboring  nations.  They  rebelled,  in  the  person  of 
some  of  their  great  men,  against  the  authority  of  Closes  and  Aaron, 
and  the  earth  instantly  cleaved  asunder  to  make  a grave  for  the 
rebels  , and  when  the  multitude  complained  of  this  as  an  unright- 
« eous  infliction,  the  plague,  another  of  God’s  ministers,  came,  and 
numbered  upwards  of  fourteen  thousand  "victims.  They  became 
discouraged  in  their  journey,  and  murmured  against  God  and 
against  Moses,  that  they  had  not  suffered  them  to  remain  in  Egypt ; 
and  for  this  God  commissioned  the  fiery  serpents  to  do  among  them 
a terrible  work  of  death.  After  them  settlement  in  Canaan,  they 
still  manifested  a perpetual  proneness  to  idolatry  ; and  hence  God 
often  suffered  them  to  fall  vmder  the  power  of  their  enemies.  At 
length,  such  was  the  enormity  of  their  guilt,  that  they  were  given 
' up  well  nigh  to  utter  extinction : them  cities  were  sacked — their 
temple  razed  to  the  ground — their  whole  country  pervaded  by  a 


8 


ministration  of  tmTor  and  death  ; and  the  small  portion  that  esca- 
ped, were  carried  otf  in  ignoble  captivity  by  a heathen  prince.-—* 
And  after  their  restoration  to  their  own  country,  though  they  seem 
to  have  been  »ured  in  a gi’cat  measure  of  their  idolatrous  propen- 
sities, yet  were  they  as  much  in  league  as  ever  with  various  other 
forms  of  evil  ; and  during  the  ages  that  intervened  between  that 
period  and  the  period  of  their  final  dispersion,  they  were  guilty  of 
a succession  of  crimes  wliich  make  the  heart  sick — the  last  and 
most  terrible  of  which  was  the  murder  of  their  iMcssiah.  But  cc»i- 
sequent  upon  this  were  the  scenes  of  their  ruin — scenes  of  horror, 
that  stand  out  with  an  affecting  prominence  upon  the  world’s  lusto- 
tory, — the  result  of  which  is,  that  this  singular-  people  have,  to  this 
day,  no  homo  upon  the  earth,  but  arc  scattered  everywhere  among 
the  nations. 

But  you  will  inquire,  especially  in  respect  to  the  later  calamities 
of  the  Jews',  whether  they  were  not  so  entirely  retributive  in  their 
character  as  to  preclude  the  idea  of  merciful  correction.  I an- 
swer, it  is  not  with  nations  as  is-ith  individuals ; and  it  is  not  with 
the  Jews  as  with  any  other  nation.  When  God  cuts  off  an  individ- 
ual sinner,  or  any  number  of  siimcrs,  in  a career  of  transgression, 
it  must  be  said  that  mercy  has  had  its  day  in  respect  to  them,  and 
that  justice  has  begun  its  work,  inasmuch  as  death  tennmates  the 
period  of  ti'ial.  But  the  pestilence,  or  the  sword,  or  any  other  of 
God’s  tciTible  agents,  may  light  upon  a nation,  and  may  perform  a 
work  that  shall  seem  to  change  the  world  itself  into  a charnel-house, 
and  yet  the  nation,  as  such,  may  still  continue ; and  this  work  of 
death  may  actually  stand  related  to  it  as  a ministration  of  mercy ; 
because  it  may  be  a channel  through  which  God  calls  to  repentance 
and  reformation.  But  then  how  many  nations  have  c.visted,  which 
have  sinc(^bccn  blotted  out,  and  their  very  memorial  has  perished ! 

So  long  as  they  had  a being,  they  had  national  responsibilities  ; — 
they  were  subject  to  a national  discipline  ; and  that  discipline,  how- 
ever severe,  was  designed  to  bring  them  to  national  virtue,  and  se- 
cure to  them  national  happiness.  But  when  they  lost  their  distinct 
existence,  and  became  merged  with  other  nations,  God’s  discipline  ^ 
towards  them  in  their  collective  capacity  ceased,  though  as  indi- 
viduals they  still  continued  to  bo  the  subjects  of  it.  Not  so,  how- 
ever, with  the  Jews.  Tliough  they  are  scattered,  it  is  with  refer- 
ence to  their  being  re-colloetcd.  Though  their  national  policy  has 
ceased,  yet  their  national  character  remains  ; and  it  is  as  certain 
as  the  word  of  the  Lord  can  make  it,  that  they  are  yet  to  accom- 
plish a most  glorious  destiny,  not  only  for  themselves,  but  for  the 
world.  It  is  reasonable  then  to  regard,  not  only  their  present  dis- 
persion and  degradation,  but  the  appalling  cakuuities  that  immedi- 
ately preceded,  as  belonging  to  a corrective  agency ; and  no  doubt 


9 


the  generatiou  that  shall  return  to  Zion  with  songs  and  everlasting 
joy  upon  their  heads,  will  feel  that  it  is  because  they  have  been 
chastened,  not  only  in  their  own  person,  but  in  the  person  of  their 
ancestors,  that  they  are  pennitted,  at  last,  to  witness  tho  day  of 
redemption. 

It  is  also  a miraculous  agency.  It  is  wonderful  to  observe  how 
different  in  this  respect  has  been  God’s  treatment  of  the  Jews  from 
his  treatment  of  any  other  nation.  He  has  not  indeed  been  indif- 
ferent to  the  character  or  the  destiny  of  other  nations.  He  has 
passed  before  them  both  in  mercy  and  in  judgment  ; and  in  duo 
time  He  hath  written  concerning  them,  that  their  days  arc  number- 
ed and  finished  ; but  then  this  is  always  brought  about  in  the  ordi- 
nary com-se  of  providence — always,  I mean,  except  where  they  have 
been  in  some  way  connected  with  the  Jews,  and  have  thus  indirect- 
ly felt  the  influence  of  a miraculous  agency.  But  the  history  of  liis 
dealings  towards  Israel  is  the  history  of  an  unbroken  series  of  mir- 
acles. In  instances  scarcely  to  be  numbered.  He  hath  moved  in 
an  unaccustomed  way, — has  suspended  the  operation  of  his  own 
laws,  now  actmg  directly  upon  the  elements,  and  now  making  an 
insect’s  weakness  the  channel  of  almighty  power. 

Open  to  whatever  part  of  the  inspired  record  you  will,  whether 
it  be  history  or  prophecy,  and  you  will  find  this  statement  amply 
illustrated  and  confirmed.  It  was  in  a miraculous  interview  with 
Abraham,  that  God  firet  intimated  to  him  what  He  would  have  him 
to  do,  and  what  He  designed  that  he  should  be  ; and  it  was  by  a 
succession  of  miraculous  communications  that  Abraham,  and  the 
patriarchs  who  succeeded  him,  became  more  fully  acquainted  with 
the  dinne  will  and  the  divine  purposes,  and  were  enabled  to  com- 
prehend, in  no  inconsiderable  degree,  the  glory  of  the  mediatorial 
dispensation.  It  was  by  a seines  of  miracles  of  the  most  appalling 
kind,  that  the  Israelites  were  rescued  from  the  tyranny  of  the  Egyp- 
tian king,  and  were  conducted  through  the  wilderness  to  the  land 
of  Canaan.  It  was  by  miracle  that  the  waters  of  the  Red  Sea 
parted  to  save  the  Israelites,  and  rolled  back  to  destroy  the  Egyp- 
tians. In  the  scenes  that  occurred  at  Mount  Sinai,  there  was  a 
wonderful  display  of  miraculous  power.  The  manna  from  the  clouds 
was  miraculous.  The  pillar  of  cloud  and  of  fire  was  miraculous. — 
The  water  gushing  forth  from  the  smitten  rock  was  miraculous ; 
and  so  was  the  opening  of  the  earth  in  judgment  upon  the  guilty ; 
and  so  were  the  fiery  serpents  sent  forth  to  kill,  and  the  brazen  ser- 
pent set  up  to  cure  ; and  so  was  the  passage  over  Jordan,  and  the 
fall  of  the  walls  of  Jericho,  and  the  manner  of  recovery  from  the 
Babylonish  captivity,  and  indeed  almost  every  great  event  by  whioh 


2 


10 


their  history  is  marked,  until  the  catastrophe  which  destroyed  their 
zxational  polity,  and  occasioned  their  final  dispersion. 

Nor  may  we  forget  that  the  miracles  of  Christianity  belong,  in 
an  important  sense,  to  the  Jewish  nation.  For  Jesus  himself,  the 
great  worker  of  miracles,  the  very  source  of  miraculous  power,  was 
a Jew  ; and  his  apostles,  to  whom  the  same  power  was  committed, 
were  also  J ews ; and  so  were  the  seventy,  to  whom  He  gave  a spe- 
cial commission  ; and  so  indeed  were  all  the  early  Christians,  so  far 
as  we  know,  who  were  privileged  to  share  in  these  supernatural  en- 
dowments. The  gift  of  inspiration  in  the  Christian  Church  has 
been  confined  to  the  descendants  of  Abraham  ; and  with  the  sin- 
gle exception  of  the  Book  of  Job,  the  origin  of  which  is  involved  in 
much  obscurity,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  whole  Bible  is  the  pro- 
duction of  Jewish  writers. 

Notwithstanding  the  Jews  are  now  no  longer  the  depositories  of 
a miraculous  agency,  they  are,  nevertheless,  by  their  preservation 
as  a distinct  people — a standing  miracle  before  the  world  ; and 
hereafter,  when  they  shall  go  back  in  joy  and  triumph,  to  their  own 
land,  and  shall,  as  a nation,  embrace  that  Messiah  whom  their  fa- 
thers crucified,  and  finally  shall  stand  forth  in  their  collective  ca- 
pacity, earnest,  mighty  in  accomplishing  the  great  purposes  of  the 
mediatorial  reign, — then  both  heaven  and  earth  will  take  knowledge 
of  them  that,  from  first  to  last,  a miraculous  agency  has  marked 
out  their  path,  and  directed  their  destiny. 

I only  add  that  this  is  an  uninterrupted  agency.  It  is  true,  in- 
deed, that  God  acts  by  an  unceasing  influence  in  respect  to  every 
nation  and  every  individual  ; but  it  is  true,  also,  that  there  is  a 
speciality  in  His  treatment  of  the  Jews,  which  has  never  discover- 
ed itself  towards  any  other  people.  He  has  always  kept  them  pe- 
culiarly in  his  eye, — has  borne  them  peculiarly  upon  his  heart. — 
He  has  rendered  other  nations  tributary  to  their  authority,  and  sub- 
servient to  their  interests.  It  has  seemed  as  if  the  mighty  move- 
ments of  his  providence,  through  a long  course  of  ages,  were  spe- 
cially with  reference  to  them  ; while  the  rest  of  the  world  was  con- 
sidered important,  chiefly  from  the  relation  which  it  bore  to  this 
wondcrftil  people.  Even  now,  wliile  they  are  in  the  depths  of  their 
humiliation,  despised  and  trodden  under  foot  by  the  nations  among 
whom  they  are  scattered, — even  now,  God  has  not  ceased  to  care 
for  this  outcast  race,  but  is  working  in  a thousand  ways,  some  of 
which  we  can,  and  some  of  which  we  cannot  understand,  to  bring 
about  their  ultimate  restoration.  And  His  agency  will,  no  doubt, 
be  more  and  more  strongly  marked,  till  tliis  great  event  shall  actu- 
tually  become  matter  of  history.  Israel  shall  ore  long  know  that 


11 


they  ara  the  beloved  of  tho  Lord  for  the  fathers’  sake  ; and  that 
the  Messiah  whom  they  rejected  has  not  forgotten  them,  even  in 
their  greatest  extrenuty. 

Such  are  the  leading  characteristics  of  God’s  dealings  towards 
the  Jews.  Let  us  now, 

II.  In  the  second  place,  contemplate  the  purposes  which  He  ao- 
complishes  through  their  instrumentality.  “ \Miat  hath  God 
wrought”  by  them  ? We  shall,  of  course,  still  keep  in  view  the  fu- 
ture as  well  as  the  past. 

I say,  then,  God  employs  the  Jews  to  illustrate  the  various  fea- 
tures of  His  moral  government — particularly  its  wisdom,  its  right- 
eousness, its  stability. 

Is  there  anything  more  importaftt  to  man,  than  to  understand  his 
own  character  and  the  character  of  God  ? Could  infinite  benevo- 
lence devise  an  end  more  worthy  of  itself  than  this  ? Look  then  at 
the  history  of  tho  Jews,  and  see  whether  this  end  has  not  been  most 
signally  accomplished. 

If  we  would  know  what  there  is  in  the  heart  of  man,  we  must 
see  what  comes  out  in  the  hfe.  Nor  is  it  safe  to  form  our  opinion 
from  superficial  or  partial  views — from  having  noticed  the  develop- 
ments consequent  upon  merely  one  set  of  circumstances  ; for  while 
circumstances,  under  the  ordering  of  Providence,  constitute  our 
trial,  they  are  so  diversified  as  to  appeal  to  all  the  various  princi- 
ples of  human  action  ; and  hence  we  must  see  man  in  various  con- 
ditions, and  with  a great  variety  of  influences  operating  upon  him, 
before  we  can  be  prepared  to  form  an  intelligent  estimate  of  his 
character.  But  it  is  not  easy  to  conceive  of  a condition  by  which 
the  heart  of  man  could  be  tried  and  proved,  in  which  the  Jews 
were  not  actually  placed  ; and  hence  the  conduct  which  they  ex- 
hibited, may  be  regarded  as  an  unexceptionable  testimony  in  re- 
spect to  the  moral  state  of  human  nature.  Their  course  was  an  al- 
ternate scene  of  prospeiity  and  triumph — of  depression  and  defeat, 
so  that  the  goodness  and  severity  of  God,  in  regard  even  to  their 
temporal  condition,  were  both  tried  upon  them.  And  then  they 
were  brought  continually  in  contact  Avith  Deity,  not  merely  through 
those  miraculous  interpositions  and  judgments,  which  constitute  so 
large  a part  of  their  history,  but  by  means  of  their  Avhole  religious 
economy ; so  that  they  were  incomparably  the  most  pri\fileged  peo- 
ple on  the  face  of  the  earth.  ^Miat  then  is  the  judgment  which  their 
history  renders  in  respect  to  human  nature  ? Is  it  not  that  the 
heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  fully  set  in  them  to  do  evil  ? Notwith- 
standing all  that  God  did  for  them  by  his  providence  and  his  grace, 
they  departed  from  Him  by  a perpetual  backsliding.  They  have 


13 


been  from  the  beginning  stiffnecked  and  unclrcumclsed  in  heart, 
and  have  always  resisted  the  Holy  Ghost.  Do  they  not  then,  in 
the  general  course  of  their  conduct  as  a nation,  constitute  a moral 
mirror,  from  which  is  reflected  an  exact  image  of  the  human  heart  ? 
Such  an  exhibition  of  the  depravity  of  man  was  a most  fitting  pre- 
paration for  the  advent  of  the  Messiah  ; for  it  was  a demonstration 
that,  without  some  special  divine  interposition,  th(v  world  must  per- 
ish under  the  weighl  of  its  own  wickedness.  And  it  is  of  most  im- 
portant use  in  every  age,  as  a means  of  convincing  the  world  of 
sin,  in  order  to  an  acceptance  of  the  proffered  salvation  ; for  they 
that  are  whole  need  not  a physician,  but  they  that  are  sick.  I say, 
then,  it  is  a striking  illustration  of  the  wisdom  of  God’s  government, 
that  He  should  have  suffered  the  Jews  to  become  the  involuntary 
exponents  of  the  human  heart,  for  the  benefit  of  all  coming  gene- 
rations. 

Here  also  is  a corresponding  development  of  the  divine  charac- 
ter. Anything  like  an  adequate  illustration  of  this  point  would 
lead  me  into  a wider  range  than  the  time  allotted  to  this  exercise 
would  justify.  Sufiice  it  to  say,  that  every  divine  attribute  here 
shines  forth  in  the  splendor  of  the  sun.  Infinite  power,  justice,  ho- 
liness, faithfulness,  goodness,  mercy,  you  can  trace  in  glowing 
characters,  on  every  page  of  this  glowing  histoi-y.  It  is  not  merely 
the  fact  that  God  claims  to  Himself  these  attributes  that  demands 
our  consideration,  but  the  fact  that  He  constantly  e.xhibits  Himself 
as  in  possession  of  them  : that  He  demonstrates  their  reality  by 
bringing  them  constantly  into  exercise.  Some  of  them  might,  in- 
deed, have  been  learned  from  the  silent  teachings  of  nature  and 
providence  ; but  it  is  only  through  the  Jewish  nation  that  He  has 
revealed  to  the  world  His  whole  character  ; — I mean,  so  far  as  it 
has  been  revealed  at  all.  And  yet  without  such  a revelation,  what 
would  have  been  man’s  condition  ? The  world  itself,  with  all  its 
magnificent  garniture, — Avhat  better  would  it  have  been  than  a 
place  of  dreai-y  sojourn,  where  agonizing  uncertainty,  not  to  say 
black  despair,  would  have  cast  its  shadows  upon  every  prospect  ? 
God’s  revelation  to  the  Jews  is  the  medium,  through  which  chiefly 
He  has  manifested  His  glory  to  the  world  ; and  as  His  glory  is  the 
worthiest  object  which  can  occupy  even  His  own  regards,  it  surely 
evinced  the  Avisdom  of  His  government  that  He  should  have  made 
such  a manifestation. 

There  is  also  evidence  the  most  ample,  from  the  conduct  of  God 
towards  the  Jcavs,  that  He  reigns  in  righteousness.  I have  spoken 
of  the  calamities  with  which  they  were  so  continually  visited,  as  con- 
stituting part  of  a merciful  discipline  towards  them,  designed  to  se- 
cure their  reformation  and  ultimately  their  prosperity  ; but  they 
are  to  be  viewed  also  as  having  a retributive  aspect, — as  being  the 


IS 


merited  inflictions  of  the  righteous  Governor  of  the  world,  and  as 
shadowing  forth  yet  more  terrible  inflictions  upon  the  ungodly,  in 
that  coming  world  where  retribution  shall  be  complete.  If  you 
read  the  history  j'articularly,  you  will  see  how,  in  all  ordinary  ca- 
ses, the  punishment  connects  itself  with  the  crime  ; and  not  unfre- 
qucntly  the  crime  has  within  itself  the  elements  of  its  own  punish- 
ment. God  selects  the  ver^*  instruments  of  sin  to  act  as  a scourge, 
thus  causing  them  literally  to  cat  of  the  fruit  of  their  own  doings, 
and  to  be  filled  with  their  own  devices. 

J3ut  while  the  history  of  the  Jews  most  fully  vindicates  the  right- 
eousness of  God  in  the  matter  of  retribution,  it  teaches  us  also  that 
retribution  is  not  the  less  certain,  because  it  may  be  indefinitely  de- 
layed. The  whole  course  of  Ills  dealing  toivards  them  illustrates 
His  forbearance  and  long-suffering  : it  goes  to  prove  what  He  di- 
rectly declares, — that  He  delights  in  mercy,  and  that  puni.shmcnt 
is  His  strange  work  ; but  after  all,  if  there  be  no  repentance,  pun- 
ishment always  comes  at  last.  Man  sometimes  forgets  the  injuries 
which  he  has  receii'cd,  but  God  forgets  nothing.  Man,  if  he  re- 
members injuries,,  may  be  prevented  from  vindicating  himself  against 
the  offender  by  want  of  power,  or  by  considerations  of  self-interest : 
but  God’s  arm  is  always  nerved  Avith  omnipotence,  and  His  inde- 
pendence of  Ilis  creatures  places  Him  infinitely  above  all  temptor 
tion  to  compromit  the  honors  of  His  throne.  Heaven  and  earth 
may  pass  away,  but  His  word  never  fails.  He  waited  long  to  be 
gracious,  before  the  final  destruction  of  the  Jewish  state.  He  com- 
missioned His  prophets  to  speak  words  of  mercy,  hut  they  Avere  not 
heeded.  He  unsheathed  His  glittering  sword,  and  Avarned  them 
that  it  would  pierce  their  very  \dtals,  unless  they  should  repent  ; 
but  they  did  not  CA'en  falter  in  their  rebellion.  And  they  practi- 
cally yielded  to  the  delusion  that  He  Avas  such  an  one  as  themselves, 
until  His  hand  took  hold  on  judgment,  and  swept  them  aAvay  with 
the  besom  of  destruction.  Thereby  has  He  proclaimed  to  the  Avorld,' 
in  language  not  to  be  mistaken,  that  He  is  not  straitened  in  respect 
to  the  time  of  punishing  his  enemies  : that  notAA'ithstanding  He  is 
merciful  to  endure,  He  is  also  righteous  to  avenge. 

Is  not  the  stability  of  His  government  also  here  most  strikingly 
set  forth?  We  knoAV  nothing  of  God’s  purposes  in  respect  to  the 
future,  except  as  He  is  pleased  to  reveal  them  ; but  this  He  has 
actually  done,  in  respect  toaU  the  greater  issues  of  His  proA'idence. 
He  has  assured  us  that  Messiah  is  to  reign  over  the'Avhole  earth, 
and  that  Avith  that  reign  is  to  be  identified  the  universal  triumph  of 
holiness  and  peace.  Now,  if  we  look  back  through  all  the  prece- 
ding ages  of  Jewish  history,  what  countless  influences  do  we  find 
hare  Iwn  at  work,  apparently  adverse  to  that  glorious  oonsumma- 


14 


tioa  that  prophecy  reveals  to  us.  It  has  seemod  sometimes  for  ages 
as  if  the  adversary  had  almost  the  whole  world  entirely  under  his 
dominion',  and  even  within  the  bosom  of  the  Church,  there  have 
been  such  disastrous  and  conflicting  agencies,  that  human  sagacity 
Avould  have  been  as  likely  to  prophecy  of  her  death  as  of  her  life. 
But  behold,  now,  how  the  hght  shines  out  of  the  darkness ! Be- 
hold how  one  divine  dispensation  towards  the  Jews  furnishes  the 
explanation  of  another,  until  the  whole  brightens  into  a manifest 
chain  of  causes  and  eSects,  which  we  can  already  see  must  have 
its  termination  in  the  predicted  glorious  result.  However  improb- 
able such  an  event  may  have  seemed  in  former  ages,  especially  in 
the  more  gloomy  periods  ot  Jewish  history,  the  Messiah  has  actu- 
ally long  since  come,  and  He  is  already  travelling  rapidly  in  the 
greatness  of  His  strength*  towards  a universal  triumph.  ^Miat 
higher  evidence  could  be  given  to  the  world  that  God’s  government 
is  sure  in  all  its  results  : that  whatever  obstacles  may  oppose,  will 
certainly  be  overcome,  and  the  counsels  of  Infinite  Wisdom  will  in- 
fallibly prevail  ? 

But  if  God  employs  the  Jews  to  illustrate  the  great  principles  of 
His  moral  government,  so  also  He  employs  them  to  smtain  the 
mighty  interests  of  the  mediatorial  economy. 

This  economy  is  in  itself  strictly  and  essentially  supernatural.- — 
The  law  under  which  man  was  originally  placed,  regarded  him  as 
an  innocent  being,  and  required  tliat  he  should  continue  so  ; and 
that  may  properly  be  called  the  law  of  his  nature.  But  the  change 
in  man’s  character,  and  the  consequent  change  in  his  condition, 
produced  by  sin,  created  the  occasion  for  a new  economy, — the  e- 
conomy  of  grace  ; and  as  this  had  its  foundation  in  the  divine  sove- 
reignty, and  brought  into  exercise  the  attribute  of  mercy,  the  ex- 
istence of  which  had  not  before  been  known,  it  is  manifest  that  this 
dispensation  must  have  been  directly  revealed  ; for  tliough  the 
light  of  nature  was  sufficient  for  all  the  purpose^  for  which  it  was 
designed,  yet  it  was  not  sufficient  for  the  discovery  of  the  secrets  of 
the  divine  will.  Hence  we  find  that,  immediately  after  the  fatal- 
lapse,  the  merciful  design  of  God  towards  man  was  faintly  shadow 
ed  forth  in  connection  with  the  sentence  pronounced  upon  the  in' 
strument  of  transgression ; and  it  became  more  and  more  apparent 
from  a succession  of  divine  communications  made  to  the  early  patri- 
archs ; but  the  call  of  Abraham  marked  a distinct  epoch  in  the  un- 
folding of  the  scheme  of  mercy  ; and  from  that  time  till  after  tho 
actual  advent  of  the  Messiah,  (I  may  say  till  after  the  canon  of 
Scripture  was  closed,)  the  descendants  of  Abraham  wore  put  in 
keeping  with  all  the  dinne  communications  that  were  made  to  the 
world.  As  God  designed  by  means  of  them  to  prevent  tho  extinc- 
tion of  pure  religion  from  tho  earth,  He  manifested  himself  to  them 


1.) 


in  various  ways  in  His  own  proper  character,  and  entrusted  to  them 
that  whole  apparatus  of  means  and  influences  by  which  he  designed 
to  open  the  way  for  a more  perfect  dispensation.  In  all  this  they 
were  indeed  an  eminently  favored  people  ; but  we  are  to  bear  in 
mind,  that  the  purpose  of  God  in  thus  distinguishing  them  was  not 
merely  their  own  elevation  and  profit,  but  the  ultimate  regeneration 
of  the  world — the  complete  establishment  of  His  mediatorial  reign. 
He  made  the  Jewish  Church  the  depository  of  His  religion,  that 
through  her  ministrations,  both  voluntary  and  involuntary,  she 
might  hasten  the  triumph  of  Him  whose  right  it  is  to  reign  over  the 
nations. 

When  the  fulness  of  time  had  come,  that  is,  the  time  to  which 
all  the  prophecies  pointed,  the  time  which  had  been  designated  by 
the  movements  of  God’s  providence,  the  time  for  which  the  saints 
had  waited  in  long  and  longing  exjjcctation,  God  sent  for  his  Son  ; 
and  lo!  He  appeared  in  the  person  of  a Jew.  This  fact  had  been 
ascertained  to  tlie  beheving  Jews  by  a line  of  predictions  reaching 
back  through  many  succes.sivc  ages.  In  the  very  communication 
which  God  made  to  Abraham,  when  He  called  him  to  be.  the  father 
of  a distinct  people,  especially  in  the  declaration  that  in  him  all  the 
fiimilieS  of  the  earth  should  be  blessed,  the  Jewish  origin  of  the  Mes- 
siah was  distinctly  marked  ; and  the  predictions  of  patriarchs  and 
prophets,  in  succeeding  ages,  designated  the  line  of  his  descent  with 
greater  and  still  greater  particularity,  till  they  had  well  nigh  sup- 
plied the  materials  for  his  full  genealogy.  To  the  Jewish  nation, 
then,  belongs  the  honor,  little  as  they  themselves  have  appreciated 
it,  of  giring  to  the  world  its  Redeemer.  He  who  was  “ the  bright- 
ness of  the  Father’s  glory,  and  the  express  image  of  His  person,” 
became,  according  to  the  flesh,  a Jew.  It  was  a Jew  who  went  a- 
bout  doing  good  among  those  who  unscrupulously  branded  him  as  a 
\Tle  deceiver.  It  was  a Jew  who  gave  lessons  of  morality  that  cast 
into  the  shade  the  purest  teachings  of  earthly  wisdom,  and  even  e- 
clipsed  whatever  had  before  proceeded  from  inspiration  itself.  It 
was  a Jew  who  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions  and  bruised  for 
iniquities — who  slept  three  days  in  the  tomb  of  Joseph,  and  then 
came  forth  in  triumph  ; and  who  hath  now  gone  up  to  heaven,  to 
prosecute  in  person  the  great  ends  of  His  mediation.  And  it  is  not 
irreverent  to  say,  in  respect  to  Christ’s  glorified  humanity,  that  it 
is  a Jew  who  will  hereafter  occupy  the  judgment-seat,  and  decide 
the  everlasting  destinies  of  men.  Oh,  when  I remember  that  my 
reigning  Saviour  is  a descendant  of  Abraham,  I cannot  but  venerate 
the  nation  to  which  He  belonged,  even  though  I cannot  forget  that 
that  nation  is  responsible  for  the  shedding  of  his  blood ! 

I 

Jesus  introduced,  not  a new  religion,  but  a new  dispensation ; and 
though  immediately  after  his  death  it  seemed  as  if  his  cause  had 


16 


•pti-ished  too,  aiid  there  atoo  n^hody  who  had  the  courage  ao  stand 
up  in  defence  of  its  claims,  jet  it  still  had  an  existence  : it  hved  in 
the  tender  recollections,  the  warm  and  grateful  regards  of  a few 
friends  who  lingered  despairingly  around  Ilis  tomb  ; and  those 
friends  were  His  brethren  according  to  the  flesh — so  that,  in  that 
darkest  hour,  the  interests  of  His  cause  were  actually  in  the  keep- 
ing of  Jewish  hearts.  And  even  after  His  resurrection,  the  Jews 
were,  for  a considerable  time,  the  sole  guardians  and  promoters  of 
Chris  tianit\^ 

The  rejection  and  crucifixion  of  the  Messiah  by  the  nation  at 
large,  indicated  but  too  clearly  that  there  was  little  to  be  hoped  in 
regard  to  the  immediate  success  of  the  gospel  among  them.  Nev-. 
erthelcss  the  apostles,  all  of  whom  were  Jews,  scrupulously  obey- 
ed their  Saviour’s  last  command,  to  preach  tho  gospel  to  all  na- 
tions, beginning  at  Jerusalem.  And  though  the  whole  world  seem- 
ed arrayed  against  them,  some  of  their  earliest  labors  were  identifi- 
ed with  the  most  signal  triumphs  of  divine  grace  which  the  world 
has  ever  seen.  And  thus,  for  years,  the  Church,  under  the  minis- 
trations of  Jewish  Christians,  |i-ew  and  multiplied. 

But  as  God  designed  that  the  gospel  should  be  carried  to  other 
nations,  in  due  time  He  made  eSectual,  but  most  terrible  prepara- 
tion for  this,  in  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  consequent 
dispersion  of  those  who  escaped  with  their  lives.  Many  of  these 
had  already  been  converted  to  the  Christian  faith ; and  wherever 
they  went,  they  would,  of  .course,  carry  their  religion  aloijg  with 
them  ; and  by  awakening  curiosity  and  interest  in  the  minds  of  those 
with  whom  they  mingled,  they  would  naturally  prepare  the  way  for 
the  more  direct  efforts  of  the  preachers  of  the  gospel  who  should 
come  after  them.  Besides,  if  nothing  had  occurred  to  force  the  a- 
postles  and  primitive  Christians  from  their  native  country,  not  im- 
probably their  attachment  to  it  might  have  prevented  them  from  ex- 
tending their  sphere  of  labor  so  much  as  the  necessities  of  the  case 
required.  But  in  consequence  of  their  persecution  by  the  Jews, 
and  dispersion  by  the  Homans,  they  Avent  abroad,  in  the  spirit  of 
the  Master’s  instruction,  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature. — 
Thus  not  only  the  friends,  but  the  enemies  of  the  IMcssiah  rendered 
good  service  to  the  cause.  His  friends,  by  direct  and  vigoi*ous  ef- 
forts for  its  promotion — His  enemies,  by  uuAvittingly  becoming  the 
occasion  of  opening  a passage  for  the  gospel  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth. 

From  that  time  to  the  present,  the  Jews  have  alAA-ays  maintained 
the  most  active  hostility  towards  the  Redeemer  and  His  cause  ; and 
yet,  as  God  pressed  into  the  service  of  Christianity  tho  evil  deeds 
of  their  fathers,  so  lie  does  not  fail  to  turn  to  good  account  (heir 


17 


opposition  as  involving  the  fulfilment  of  prophecy,  and  the  conse- 
quent authentication  of  the  Christian  record.  Behold  this  singular 
people,  living  everywhere,  and  yet  having  no  home — maintaining 
a complete  identity  amidst  the  most  various  circumstances — revi- 
ling Jesus  of  Nazareth  as  an  impostor,  and,  alas,  despised  and  jier- 
sccuted  by  many  of  Ilis  professed  disciples ; — mark  tho  peculiar 
features  both  of  their  character  and  their  condition,  and  then  say 
whether,  if  all  other  miracles  have  ceased,  there  be  not  one  mira- 
cle yet  remaining,  that  ought  to  put  an  end  to  the  cavils  of  the 
skeptic  and  the  jeers  of  the  profane.  Be  it  so,  that  the  Jews  are 
no  longer  in  trust  with  the  true  religion,  yet  they  arc  the  involun- 
tary witnesses  for  it even  during  this  dark  season  of  their  unbe- 
lief and  c.xile,  they  are  accomplishing  a work,  through  which,  in  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  the  Saviour  sees  of  the  travail  of  Ilis  soul. 

But  any  view  of  the  importance  of  the  Jews  in  tho  mediatorial 
economy  would  be  inadequate,  that  should  not  include  the  influence 
which  they  are  to  exert  hereafter.  There  is  everything  in  prophe- 
cy— ever}dhing  in  providence,  to  warrant  the  conclusion,  that  a 
brighter  day  will  ere  long  open  upon  them  ; and,  I verily  believe, 
that  they  will  return  to  take  possession  of  the  land  of  their  fathers. 
And  though  their  national  rejection  has  done  much  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  Gentiles,  their  national  recovery  will  do  more.  Be  it 
so,  that  they  shall  go  back  in  the  character  of  Jews,  and  shall  set 
up  Jewish  institutions,  and  practise  Jewish  rites  : yet  this  shall  bo 
only  for  a brief  period.  Ghod  “ will  pour  upon”  them  the  spirit  of 
grace  and  of  supplications,  and  .they  shall  look  upon  Him  “ whom 
they  have  pierced” — the  Messiah,  whom  their  fathers  crucified, 
and  whom  they  have  crucified  afresh  ; “ and  they  shall  mourn  for 
him  as  one  moumeth  for  Ids  only  son.”  This  mourning,  beginning 
with  the  more  prominent  characters,  will  spread  through  all  the 
families  of  the  house  of  Israel : other  nations,  for  a season,  will 
array  themselves  in  hostility  against  them  ; but  God  will  work 
mighty  deliverances  in  behalf  of  His  people,  and  will  puadsh  the 
nations  that  come  forth  to  afflict  them.  And  then,  those  very  nar 
lions  that  remain  shall  have  such  a signal  demonstration  of  God’s 
favor  towards  Israel,  that  they  shall  eagerly  embrace  their  new  re- 
ligion, and  “ shall  come  to  seek  the  Lord  in  Jerusalem,  and  to 
pray  before  the  Lord.” 

Is  there  a more  magnificent  spectacle  which  the  imagination  can 
Cvertake,  than  recovered  and  converted  Israel  finally  bending  be- 
fore the  cross,  and  doing  her  last  work  to  crown  the  Mediator’s 
triumph  ? I see  the  nations,  among  whom  her  people  had  been  scat- 
tered, looking  at  her  with  amazement,  as  a monument  of  the  truth 

3 


18 


and  the  jx)wer  of  God.  I see  her  missionaries,  already  schooled  by 
dispersion  in  the  various  languages  of  the  earth,  going  forth  with 
martyr-llke  zeal  to  proclaim  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  I 
listen  to  their  teaclmgs,  and  behold  there  is  a fervor,  an  energy 
breathing  through  them,  that  seems  to  say  that  they  have  to  make 
up  for  the  unbelief  of  many  generations.  I behold  them  gaining 
the  ear  of  thousands  to  whom  the  Gentile  missionary  had  spoken  in 
vain;  and  these  thousands  quickly  become  feUow-helpers  with  them 
in  the  renovation  of  myriads  more  ; and  thus  the  work  goes  on  till 
there  is  a jubilee  proclaimed  in  the  earth,  because  aU  the  nations 
are  in  voluntary  subjection  to  Messiah’s  reign.  Oh ! ye  were  out- 
casts once — ye  were  a company  of  rebels,  disbanded  indeed,  but 
still  fighting  under  the  banner  of  the  prince  of  darkness  ; but  now 
ye  occupy  the  high  places  of  Zion,  and  look  exultingly  over  a world 
which  hails  you  as  its  best  benefactors. 

Is  anything  more  needed  to  illustrate  the  paramount  Importance 
of  the  Jewish  nation  ? Whose  estimate  is  so  much  to  be  depended 
upon  as  that  of  the  omniscient  God  ? And  what  testimony  is  so  im- 
pressive, so  satisfactory,  as  that  which  is  rendered  by  a long  course 
of  decided  action  ? But,  in  the  progress  of  this  discourse,  we  have 
seen  what  God  hath  wrought  for  the  Jews,  and  what  He  hath 
wrought  by  them.  His  agency  in  respect  to  them  has  been  benig- 
nant, corrective,  miraculous,  uninterrupted.  And  He  has  employ- 
ed them  as  the  instniments  of  illustrating,  in  an  eminent  degree, 
the  character  of  His  moral  government— of  sustaining,  in  an  emi- 
nent degree,  the  great  interests  of  the  mediatorial  economy.  I ask 
again,  if  the  practical  decision  of  Infinite  Wisdom  is  to  be  received 
as  authoritative,  must  not  we  regard  the  Jews  as  incomparably  the 
most  important  nation  that  ever  has  dwelt — that  ever  \vill  dwell,  up- 
on the  face  of  the  earth  ? 

And  now,  if  you  acknowledge  that  my  position  is  fairly  estabUslT- 
cd,  I would  fain  hope  that  you  will  be  ready  to  recognize  it  as  the 
legitimate  basis  of  an  appeal  to  your  sympathy  and  charity  in  be- 
half of  this  wonderful  people.  IVho  are  you,. — who  am  I, — that 
we  should  think  to  set  aside  the  testimony  of  God  ? If  God  has  re- 
garded them  of  so  much  importance,  that  He  has  even  miraculous- 
ly wielded  the  elements  in  their  behalf — that  He  has  permitted  them 
to  walk  for  ages  almost  in  the  very  light  of  His  throne — that  He 
has  honored  them  with  a special  instrumentality  in  the  ftilfilmcnt  of 
His  noble  ends, — what  other  argument  can  we  need,  to  induce  our 
earnest  ccHipcration  with  Him  in  His  revealed  purposes  of  mercy 
towards  them  ? If  we  have  forgotten  and  neglected  tliem  hitherto, 
shall  not  the  care  which  God  hath  e.xercised  towards  them,  the  ob- 
jects which  He  hath  accomplished  by  them,  the  promises  which  He 


19 


}»ath  made  conceroing  them,  rebuke  our  criminal  sloth,  and  lead  us 
to  say  of  do^TO-trodden  Israel,  in  the  spirit  of  fei-vent  charity,  “ If 
1 do  not  remember  thee  henceforth,  let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the 
root  of  my  mouth.” 

But  I think  I hear  an  objector’s  voice.  I hear  it  breathed  forth 
from  some  cold  heart,  that  thie  effort  to  convert  the  Jews  is  pre- 
mature : that  the  time  fixed  in  the  divine  counsels  for  this  event 
has  not  yet  come  ; and  that,  when  that  period  actually  does  arrive, 
God  Ilimself  will  see  to  it  that  Ilis  own  purposes  are  accomplished. 
But  who  has  told  you  that  the  time  to  do  good  to  Israel  has  not  yet 
come  ? Surely  God  has  not  told  you  this,  cither  by  Ilis  word  or  by 
Ilis  providence  ; for  even  though  it  were  admitted,  that  the  Bible 
has  fixed  the  date  of  their  general  restoration  to  a somewhat  later 
period  than  this ; and  though  it  be  admitted,  further,  that  the  great 
body  of  the  nation  are  to  be  converted  subsequently  to  their  return 
to  their  own  country ; still,  where  hath  God  told  us  that  there  is  not 
to  bo  a course  of  prepai’ation  for  this  event,  by  the  previous  conver- 
sion of  many  of  these  scattered  outcasts  ? He  hath  certainly  com- 
manded His  ministers  to  go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gos- 
pel to  every  creature ; — not  to  every  Gentile,  but  to  every  being 
that  hath  intelligence  and  immortality ; and  this  is  required  as  a 
present,  urgent,  indispensable  duty  ; and  let  whoever  can,  show 
that  the  Jews  do  not  come  legitimately  within  the  scope  of  this  be- 
neficent provision.  And  then  we  must  be  utterly  blind  to  the  move- 
ments of  God’s  providence,  not  to  see  that  He  is  constantly  crea- 
ting new  facilities  for  the  furtherance  of  this  object,  by  rendering 
the  Jews  not  only  more  accessible,  but  more  impressible  also.  And 
more  than  that.  He  has  actually  wakened  up  in  the  Church  a new 
interest  concerning  them — a spirit,  not  only  of  inquiry,  but  of  soli- 
citude and  of  charity  ; and  there  are  great,  and  philanthropic,  and 
venerable  minds,  both  here  and  abroad,  that  are  intensely  occupied 
in  finding  out,  and  putting  into  operation,  means  for  meliorating 
their  condition.  The  very  occasion  which  hath  assembled  us,  is  a 
testimony  that  God’s  hand  is  moving  in  their  behalf, — an  evidence 
that  the  time  to  labor  for  their  conversion  actually  has  come  ; and 
whoever  pleads  for  longer  delay,  on  the  ground  of  conformity  to 
God’s  purpose,  does  it  in  the  face  of  both  revelation  and  provi- 
dence,— does  it  at  the  expense  of  showing  hinjself  a fatalist.  I re- 
peat, let  the  time  for  the  ixltimate  conversion  of  the  Jews  be  near- 
er or  more  remote,  the  time  for  the  Church  to  labor  and  pray  for  it 
is  already  fuUy  come. 

I hear  it  said  again,  in  an  undertone  of  elimination,  “ If  the 
Jews  have  been  the  most  favored  nation  on  earth,  so  also  they 
have  been  the  most  obdurate  : they  deserve  all  that  they  suffer ; 


20 


tind  who  shall  attempt  to  take  them  out  of  the  hands  of  God's  retri- 
butive justice  ?”  Yes,  doubtless  they  deserve  all  that  they  suffer  ; 
but  they  do  not  deserve  it  at  your  hands,  or  at  mine,  or  at  those  of 
any  Christian  nation.  God’s  purposes  in  respect  to  them,  Avhatev- 
er  they  may  be,  certainly  uill  be  fulfilled  ; but  in  the  mean  time 
He  requires  us  to  do  good  to  all  men — Jews  and  Gentiles : He  has 
not  given  us  the  shadow  of  an  apology  for  taking  the  sword  of  ven- 
geance into  our  hands.  Besides,  who  are  we,  that  we  should  ad- 
duce the  obduracy  of  the  Jews  as  an  argument  for  letting  them  a- 
lone  ? If  we  are  not  ourselves,  at  this  hour,  practical  rejectors  of 
the  gospel,  it  is  only  because  the  God  of  Abraham  hath  enhghtened 
our  minds,  and  subdued  our  hearts,  and  made  us  willing  in  the  day 
of  His  power.  Lay  thine  hand  upon  thy  mouth,  0 man,  who  art 
venturing  to  invade  the  protdnce  of  Infinite  Justice,  when  thou  art 
thyself,  at  best,  a monument  of  God’s  forbearing  mercy. 

I will  listen  to  but  one  more  objection.  It  is  said,  “ "Why  divert 
the  attention  of  the  Church  now  from  the  conversion  of  the  Gen- 
tiles,— a work  on  which  the  ^Master  has  evidently  deigned  to  smile  ? 
The  Jews  are  scattered  among  the  Gentiles  ; and  let  them  hear  the 
gospel  as  the  Gentiles  hear  it, — let  them  receive  a blessing,  if  they 
wiU,  through  those  Christian  ministrations  which  the  charity  of  the 
Church  hath  provided  for  the  heathen  ; but  let  there  be  no  distinct 
instrumentality  with  special  reference  to  their  benefit.”  We  reply 
to  this,  in  the  first  place,  that  w'e  liave  no  idea  of  pleading  for  the 
Jews  at  the  expense  of  the  Gentiles, — nay,  we  would  that  the 
Church  might  receive  a fresh  baptism  of  the  general  missionary 
spirit,  and  that  her  messengers  of  truth  and  grace  among  the  hea- 
then might  be  multiplied  by  scores  and  hundreds.  Still,  we  main- 
tain that  the  condition  of  the  Jews  is  sufiiciently  peculiar,  and  their 
claims  are  sufficiently  distinct  to  justify,  to  demand,  a specific  ac- 
tion in  their  behalf.  But  the  cro^^•ning  answer  to  this  objection  is, 
that,  if  there  is  anything  to  be  known  from  prophecy,  the  conver- 
sion of  the  Jews  is  to  precede  the  general  conversion  of  the  Gen- 
tiles,— the  former  sustaining  to  the  latter  the  relation  of  a cause  to 
an  effect.  Let  the  man,  then,  who  fears  that  we  shall  prosecute 
our  effort  at  the  e.xpense  of  the  heathen,  know,  that,  if  he  is  labor- 
ing for  the  heathen,  so  are  we  also  : that,  under  God,  we  are  put- 
ting in  operation  causes  of  moral  renovation,  that  will  be  found  to 
operate  all  over  the  world  ; and  that,  sooner  or  later,  an  army  of 
missionaries  will  go  forth  from  collected  Israel,  that  will  never  wea- 
ry in  their  tvork,  till  the  Ijist  memorial  of  paganism  is  blotted  out, 
and  the  standard  of  truth  and  holiness  waves  “ far  as  the  curse  is 
found.” 

Brethren  and  friends  of  the  Society  whose  claims  I have  been  re- 


n 


quested  to  present,  I congratulate  you  on  all  tho  favoring  circum- 
stances which  mark  your  annivei’sary.  I rejoice  that  you  have  so 
much  occasion  to  thank  God  for  the  past — so  much  encouragement 
to  trust  Him  for  the  future.  You  have  had  your  day  of  small  things ; 
hut  I trust  that  it  is  now  nearly  past,  and  that  your  future  opera- 
tions will  be  characterized  by  a constantly  Increasing  vigor,  and  will 
embrace  a wider  and  still  wider  range.  And  then,  you  are  not  a- 
loue  : you  have  efficient  coadjutors  in  other  lands  : every  effort 
that  you  put  forth,  meets  a grateful  response  from  many  hearts,  in 
which,  but  a little  while  since,  there  was  no  chord  to  vibrate  to  Is- 
rael’s woes  ; and  more  than  all,  you  are  sustained  by  a full  confi- 
dence that,  in  proportion  to  the  importance  which  God  attaches  to 
this  people,  is  the  favor  with  which  he  regards  every  effort  to  do 
them  good.  !May  a still  brighter  light  shine  upon  your  path — a 
stUl  warmer  zeal  glow  in  your  bosom — a still  idcher  blessing  crown 
and  reward  your  efibrts. 

I am  desired  to  ask  the  aid  of  this  congregation  in  prosecuting 
this  benevolent  object.  If  my  subject  has  not  furnished  arguments 
to  induce  you  to  give,  then  I have  nothing  more  to  say.  If  there 
be  nothing  in  the  importance  which  God  attaches  to  tins  people,  as 
evinced  by  what  He  has  done,  and  what  He  is  hereafter  to  do,  for 
and  by  them,  to  entitle  this  object  to  your  considerate  and  charita- 
ble regards,  then  I must  e.\pect  you  to  shut  up  your  bowels  of  com- 
passion, and  must  repose  in  the  mortifying  reflection  that  I have 
been  beating  the  air.  But  I cannot  admit  the  possibility  of  such  a 
result.  I cannot  doubt  that,  while  I have  spoken,  both  your  con- 
victions and  your  feelings  have  been  with  me,  and  that  you  are 
ready  now  to  ofler  efficient  aid  to  this  pre-eminently  Christian  en- 
terprise. It  were  httle  to  say  of  what  you  give,  that  it  will  be  a 
merciful  oflering  to  outcast,  sufifering  humanity : it  is  humanity  that 
has  fallen  from  a lofty  elevation,  and  that  is  hereafter  to  rise  to  an 
elevation  still  more  lofty  : it  is  humanity  which  has  inherited  God’s 
richest  blessing  as  well  as  His  heaviest  curse, — nay,  which  is  en- 
shrined on  the  mediatorial  throne,  in  the  person  of  God’s  only  be- 
gotten and  weU-beloved  Son.  'i’i’Iiat  you  give  will  be  given  in  hon- 
or of  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful ; and  who  knows  but  that 
the  old  glorified  patriarch  may  actually  be  here,  the  approHng  wit- 
ness of  your  gifts  ? "What  you  give  will  be  given  in  honor  of  Christ, 
the  seed  of  Abraham  ; and  of  Sis  presence  we  are  assured  ; be- 
cause He  is  everywhere  in  the  assemblies  of  His  saints,  and  His 
eye  is  like  a flame  of  fire.  I entreat  you  to  give  so  as  to  satisfy 
all  the  bright  -n-itnesses  that  may  be  hdvering  unseen  around  you. 
And  when  Israel  shall  have  been  gathered,  and  the  hills  and  val- 
leys of  Judea  shall  echo  to  her  songs  of  praise, — nay,  when  glori- 
fied Israel  shall  have  taken  her  place  on  Mount  Zion  above  and 


witliin  the  eternal  temple,  as  the  most  Illustrious  trophy  that  grace 
hath  gained,  the  brightest  gem  in  the  Mediator’s  crown,  who  £xows 
but  that  the  contributions  and  resolutions  of  this  hour  may  coimect 
themselves,  in  the  minds  of  many  in  that  vast  assemblage,  with  the 
Imperishable  triumph  to  wliich  they  will  be  exalted  ? 


A 


SERMON, 

rE£ACllEO  BEFORK 

THE  LONDON  SOCIETY 

FOR  THE  PROMOTION  OF  CHRISTIANITY  AMONOSX 

THE  JEWS, 

BY  THE 

Rev.  GEORGE  STANLEY  F.cVBER,  B.  D. 


TOGETHER  WITH 
EMBRACING 

THE  TWENTY^FOURTH  ANNIVERSARY 

OF  THE 

AMERICAN  SOCIETY, 

FOR  MELIORATING  THE  CONDITION  OF 


NHDDLEBURY : 

JUSTUS  COBB,  PRINTER. 


1847 


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SEEMON. 


ISAIAH  LX.  1—5* 

Arise,  shine ; for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee. 
For,  behold,  the  darkness  shall  cover  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness  the  people : but 
the  Lord  shall  arise  upon  thee,  and  his  glory  shall  bo  seen  upon  thee.  And  the 
Gentiles  shall  oomc  to  thy  light,  and  kings  to  the  brightness  of  thy  rising.  Lift  up 
thine  eyes  round  about,  and  see  ; all  they  gather  themselves  together — they  come 
to  thee  : thy  sons  shall  come  from  far,  and  thy  daughters  shall  be  nui-sed  at  thy 
side.  Tlien  thou  shalt  see,  and  flow  together  ; and  thine  heart  shall  fear,  and  be 
enlarged ; because  the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall  be  converted  unto  thee — the  for- 
ces of  the  Gentiles  shall  come  unto  tliee. 

There  is  a very  peculiar  circumstance,  respecting  the  propaga- 
tion of  Christianity , which  can  scarcely  fail,  I think,  of  arresting  the 
attention  even  of  the  most  cursory  .‘student  of  history,  though  it  may 
well  excite  both  wonder  and  curiosity.  The  circumstance  to  which 
I allude,  is  this  : Hie  amazingly  wide  and  rapid  diffusion  of  the 
gospel^  during  the  earlier  centuries  after  our  Lord's  ascension  to 
heaven^  and  its  comparatively  slow  and  trifling  progress  during  the 
middle  and  later  centuries. 

In  the  course  of  a very  few  years,  the  religion  of  Christ  had  more 
■or  less  pervaded  the  whole  Roman  empire,  and  had  made  success- 
ful inroads  into  the  -contiguous  nations,  both  barbarous  and  civili- 
zed. In  the  course  of  httle  more  than  three  centuries  it  became 
the  established  theological  system  of  the  greatest  and  the  most  pol- 
ished monarchy  then  subsisting.  Succeeding  events  seemed  to 
threaten,  if  not  its  absolute  extinction,  yet  at  least  its  contraction 
within  its  original  nanow  limits.  But  the  result  was  the  very  op- 
posite of  what,  by  pohtical  sagacity,  might  reasonably  have  been 
anticipated.  The  religion  of  the  conquering  Goths  was,  in  every 
instance,  nationally  abandoned  : the  religion  of  the  conquered  Ro- 
mans was,  in  every  instance,  nationally  adopted.  Some  of  the 
northern  warriors  might  be  earlier,  and  some  might  be  later,  pros- 
elytes ; but  the  ultimate  universal  concomitant  of  Gothic  national 
invasion  was  Gothic  national  conversion. 

IVhen  this  great  moral  revolution  was  effected,  the  victories  of 
the  cross  seemed,  as  it  were,  to  be  suddenly  arrested  m their  mid- 


4 


career.  Much  about  the  time  that  our  Saxon  ancestors  were  ex- 
changing the  ferocious  idolatry  of  their  fathers  for  the  milder  reli- 
gion of  Christ,  the  Saracens  attacked  the  whole  southern  line  of 
the  Koman  empire  ; and,  after  the  interval  of  a few  centuries, 
they  were  followed  by  the  Scythic  Turcomans.  Each  division  of 
these  irresistible  conquerors  obtained  permanent  settlements  upon 
the  Roman  platform  : the  Saracens,  in  Syria,  and  Africa,  and 
Spain — the  Turks,  in  the  entire  territory  of  the  eastern  empire. — 
Yet,  mark  the  wide  difference  of  the  result.  All  those  earlier  inva- 
ders, who  seized  upon  the  fragments  of  Roman  dominion  from  the 
north,  embraced  the  religion  of  the  vanquished  ; though  in  direct 
opposition  to  the  woU-known  maxim  of  Paganism,  that  the  success  of 
their  votaries  was  the  surest  test  of  the  power  of  the  gods  ; ,all  those 
later  invaders,  who  planted  themselves  upon  the  Roman  territory 
from  the  south-east  and  the  east,  not  only  rejected  the  religion  of 
the  vanquished,  but  continued  to  be  pertinaciously  animated  by  a 
most  violent  spirit  of  hostility  against  it. 

The  difference  between  the  two  cases  is  sufficiently  striking ; bilt 
the  matter  does'  not  rest  here.  It  is  not,  that  other  remote  nations 
with  an  unhappy  singularity,  were  rejecting  it : so  far  from  such 
being  the  fact,  it  would  be  difficult,  I believe,  to  produce  any  prom- 
inent instance  ot  a national  conversion  to  Chiistianity,  subsequent 
to  the  period  during  which  the  ancestor’s  of  the  present  EuitJjMjans 
received  their  public  rule  of  faith.  The  Mexicans  aud  the  Peru- 
vians, indeed,  may  have  been  half  exteminated,  and  half  forced 
into  a semblance  of  our  reli^on  ; and  in  our  own  days,  on  better 
principles  and  to  a purer  mode  of  faith,  the  petty  islands  which  are 
washed  by  tlic  great  Pacific  ocean,  may  have  l>een  nationally  con- 
verted ; but  what  are  these,  when  contrasted  with  the  vast  field  for 
missionary  exertion,  which  stretches  far  into  comparatively  civilized 
Asia?  Individually,  some  conquests  may  have  been  made  by, the 
pious  and  laborious  men,  who  have  undertaken  the  mighty  task.' — 
But  what  has  been  done  nationally  ? 'WTrat  has  been  done  upon  a 
grand  scale  ? ^Vl^at  has  been  effected,  wluch  bears  any  resemblance 
or  proportion  to  the  earlier  triumphs  of  the  cross  ? Both  Romanist, 
and  Pi’otestant,  and  Greek,  are  alike  compelled  to  give  the  same 
desponding  answer — ^JUST  xOTiiixa.  Look  at  Persia — look  at  Ara- 
bia— look  at  Boutan  and  TTiilet — look  at  Tartary — look  at  Ilindo.s- 
tan — ^look  at  China, — in  one  word,  cast  your  eye  over  the  whole  of 
southern  Asia,  with  its  dependent  islands  ; and  what  do  you  behold  ? 
'Nowhere  is  the  cross  nationally  triumphant — everiiwhere  an  incalcu- 
lable majority  of  the  people  either  bows  to  the  idols  of  Paganism, 
or  besotted  through  the  delusion  of  Mohammedism. 

AVhat  I have  stated,  though  it  may  well  serve  to  produce  abun- 
dant speculation,  is  itself  a mere  naked  matter  of  fact.  However 
we  may  account  for  it,  and  however  wo  may  regret  it,  still  nothing 


i) 

can  be  more  clear,  than  that  the  progress  of  the  gospel  has  now 
for  many  ages  been  almost  completely  arrested.  Nor  must  we  at- 
tribute this  notorious  circumstance  altogether  to  want  of  exertion. — 
The  depressed  oriental  church  may  indeed  have  been  long  in  a state 
of  constrained  torpidity  ; but  neither  the  Romanist  nor  the  Protest- 
ant has  discontinued  the  holy  Avarfare  : and  yet  avc  all  too  well 
know,  what  very  trifling  effects  have  been  produced  cither  by  the 
one  or  by  the  other.  1 say  not  this  as  undervaluing  even  the  most 
trifling  effects ; for,  in  one  pomt  of  vicAv,  they  are  infinitely  impor- 
tant, and  as  such  amply  repay  every  exertion  ; but  still,  Avhen  we 
look  back  to  the  earlier  centuries,  what  az'c  a few  thousands  of  scat- 
tered indiriduals,  if  compared  to  the  imreclaimcd  millions  Avliich 
tlirong  the  vast  continents  of  Asia  and  Africa  ? 

I.  Extraordinary  as  the  fact  before  us  may  appear,  it  is  both  re- 
cognized and  (unless  I greatly  mistake)  explained  also  in  Holy 
Scripture. 

1.  Its  anticipatory  recognition  is  more  or  less  involved  in  almost 
all  the  prophecies  which  respect  the  last  ages. 

(1)  Let  us  first  hear  the  voice  of  symbolical  prophecy,  as  it 
speaks  through  its  inspired  organs,  Daniel  and  John. 

The  figurative  stone,  cut  out  of  the  mountain  Avithout  hands, 
does  not  itself  become  a great  mountain  so  as  to  fill  the  AA'hole  earth ; 
until  that  concluding  period,  when  the  entire  compound  imperial 
image  shall  be  broken  and  and  dissipated  to  the  winds  of  heaven.  * 

The  predicted  unh’^ersal  dominion  of  the  Son  of  man,  so  that  all 
peoples  and  nations  and  languages  should  serve  him,  is  not  estab- 
lished ; until  after  the  day,  Avhen  the  fourth  great  empire,  in  its  last 
form  of  sovereignty,  shall  bo  utterly  destroyed,  f 

The  croAvned  boAvman  on  the  white  horse,  who  in  the  first  ages 
of  Christianity  goes  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer,  disappears 
during  the  whole  intermediate  prophecy  of  the  Apocalypse  : nor  do 
we  again  encounter  him,  until  the  same  fatal  period,  when  the  last 
imperial  form  of  the  last  apostate  kingdom  is  destined  to  fall  before 
him,  and  to  make  room  by  its  subversion  for  his  ultimate  reign  up- 
on earth.  J 

(2)  Such  are  the  intimations  conveyed  to  us  in  the  language  of 
figured  prophecy — intimations  abAindantly  plain  and  intelligible,  e- 
ven  if  nothing  more  had  been  said  on  the  subject ; but,  with  the 
language  of  figured  prophecy,  the  language  of  literal  prophecy  ex- 
actly corresponds. 

“ In  the  last  days,”  we  are  assured,  “ the  mountain  of  the  Lord’s 
house  shall  be  established  in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  shall  be 
exalted  above  the  hills  : and  all  nations  shall  flow  unto  it.”  |1 

♦Daniel  ii.  34.  32,  44,  4.5.  § Daniel  vi.  2.  xix.  11 — 16,  17 — 21.  t Eevelations 

Tii.  7 — 14,  19 — 27.  ||  Isaiah  ii.  2. 


6 

“ The  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the 
waters  cover  the  sea.”  * 

“ The  Lord  shall  be  king  over  all  the  earth  : in  that  day  shall 
there  bo  one  Lord,  and  liis  name  one.”  f 

(3)  Now  it  is  perfectly  clear,  that  the  accomphshment  of  these, 
and  many  other  parallel  prophecies,  would  have  been  frustrated,  if 
the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles  had  gone  on  equably  and  rapidly  in 
proportion  to  its  original  progress  ; for,  had  the  whole  Gentile 
world  been  converted  in  the  course  of  the  first  nine  or  ten  centu- 
ries, there  would  have  been  no  room  for  the  accomplishment  of 
those  numerous  predictions,  which  fix  their  general  conversion,  up- 
on a grand  and  national  scale,  to  the  latter  ages.  Hence  every 
prediction  of  this  nature  involves  an  intimation,  that  a long  stop 
would  be  put  to  the  progress  of  the  gospel,  during  a middle  inter- 
vening period  : so  that,  after  a certain  number  of  the  pagan  nations 
should  have  been  converted  during  the  first  ages,  a pause  (as  it 
were)  would  take  place  ; and  then  at  length,  in  the  last  ages,,  all 
those,  which  had  hitherto  remained  m a state  of  moral  darkness, 
would  be  happily  and  triumphantly  brought  witliin  the  pale  of  the 
Clmstian  church.  J 

* Isaiah  xi.  9.  t Zechai'iah,  xiv.  9. 

t This  p.ausc,  or  at  least  something  very  nearly  allied  to  it,  is  intimated  by  tlie 
prophet  Is.aiah. 

“All  the  inhabitants  of  the  world,  and  dwellers  upon  earth,  shall  see  tlie  lifting 
np,  as  it  were,  of  a banner  upon  the  mountains ; and  shall  hear  the  sounding,  as  it 
•were,  of  a trumpet.  For  thus  saith  .Jehovah  unto  me  : “ 7 will  set  still  (but  I will 
keep  ray  eye  upon  my  prepared  habitation.)  as  the  parching  heat  just  brtore  light- 
ning— as  tlie  dewy  cloud  in  the  heat  of  summer.  For  afore  the  harvest,  when  the 
bud  is  coming  to  perfection,  and  the  blossom  is  become  a juicy  ben-y,  he  will  cut  otf 
the  useless  shoots  with  pruning-hooks,  and  the  bill  shall  take  away  the  luxuriant 
branches.” — Isaiah  xviii.  .3 — 5. 

Upon  this  passage,  (Bishop  Horsley  remarks,  that  the  Imnner  is  the  banner  of  the 
cross,  to  be  lifted  up  more  conspicuously  than  ever  before  ; and  that  the  t umjKt  is 
the  trumpet  of  the  gospel,  to  be  sounded  more  loudly  than  ever  before,  in  the  latter 
ages.  This,  then,  he  adds,  is  the  sum  of  the  projihecv.  In  the  latter  age.s,  after  a 
long  suspension  of  the  visible  interpositions  of  Fiovidcnec,  (jod,  who  all  llie  while  re- 
gards that  dwelling-place  wliich  he  will  never  abandon,  and  is  at  all  times  directing 
the  events  of  the  world  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  own  purposes  of  wisdom  mid 
mercy,  immediately  before  the  tinal  gathering  of  his  elect  from  the  four  winds  of 
heaven,  will  purify  his  church  by  such  signal  judgments  as  shall  rouse  the  attention 
of  the  ■whole  world,  and  in  the  end  strike  all  nations  willi  religious  awe.  At  this  jie- 
riod,  the  apostate  faction  will  occupy  the  Holy  Laud.  This  faction  will  certainly  bo 
an  instrument  of  those  judgments,  by  which  the  ciuirch  will  lie  ])urified.  That  ])uri- 
fication,  therefore,  is  not  at  all  inconsistent  with  the  seeming  prosperity  of  the  atlaii-s 
of  the  atheistical  confederacy.  But.  after  such  duration  as  (iod  shall  see  fit  to  allow, 
to  the  plenitude  of  its  power;  the  .Jews,  converted  to  the  faith  of  Christ,  will  be  unex- 
pectedly restored  to  theirancient  possessions.  The  pruning  will  immediately  precede 
the  harvest  and  the  in-gathering.  The  season  of  the  Imrvest  and  of  the  in-gathering 
of  the  fniit,  is  the  prophetic  imtige  of  that  period,  when  our  Ixird  will  send  forth  his 
angels  to  gather  his  elect  from  the  four  winds  of  heaven — of  tliat  jicrioil.  u hcii  a re- 
newed preaching  of  tlic  gospel  .slnill  take  place  iu  all  parts  of  the  world. — Horsley 
on  Iseuah  xviii.  p.  95 — 97,  88,  89,  65.  ♦ 

It  is  impossible  not  to  observe,  that,  at  the  very  time  when  an  anxious  desire  to 
conuuuuicale  tlic  light  of  .Scripture  to  tlie  wiiole  world,  has  sprung  up  after  a man- 


7 


2.  Thus  explicitly  is  the  fact  itself  recognized  in  Scripture.  Jhit 
it  is  more  than  recognized  : the  rationale  of  it  fif  1 may  so  speak ) 
is  also  most  fully  ami  lucidly  explained  ; and  uj)on  this  rationale  1 
have  ever  thought  the  importance  of  a society  for  the  express  ))ur- 
pose  of  converting  the  house  of  Judali  to  bo  pre-eminently  estab- 
lished. 

The  truth  is,  that,  whatever  partial  success  may  attend  mission- 
ary exertions  in  regard  to  individual  Pag:ms  or  Mohammedans,  the 
Gentiles  will  never  be  converted  nationally  and  upon  a larye  scale, 
until  the  Jews  shall  have  been  first  converted  : and  the  ground  of 
this  very  important  position  is,  that  the  converted  Jews  are  desti- 
ned, in  4he  unsearchable  tvisdom  of  God,  tsj  be  tlw  sole  finally  suc- 
cessful missionaries  to  the  Gentile  world. 

Such  I believe  to  be  the  true  secret  of  the  small  emolument, 
with  which  we  Gentiles  attempt  the  conversion  of  the  yet  mme- 
claimed  Gentiles.  The  fact  of  oui-  little  success  is  notorious  and 
indisputable  : the  reason  is,  because  an  honor,  reserved  for  others, 
neither  •will  nor  can  be  conferred  upon  us.  For,  if  it  be  the  special 
allotcd  task  of  the  converted  Jeivs  to  efiect  the  conversion  of  the  gi’eat 
national  mass  of  the  Gentiles,  nothing  can  be  more  clear,  than  tliat 
the  conversion  of  that  gi’eat  national  mass  will  never  be  eflected  by 
ourselves,  whatever  partial  success  may  attend  our  efforts  with  in- 
sulated individuals.  But,  that  such  is  the  special  allotted  task  of 
the  converted  Jew^s,  is  set  forth  with  sufiicient  plainness  in  the  Vol- 
ume of  Prophecy. 

(1)  "VVhether  the  language  of  prophecy  be  figurative,  or  wheth- 
er it  be  literal,  still  it  ceases  not  to  maintain  the  same  important  po- 
sition. 

Zechariah  teaches  us  that,  in  the  day  when  the  Jews  shall  be  re- 
stored to  their  own  land,  and  shall  be  delivered  from  their  congre- 
gated GvmsiiQB,living  waters  shall  go  out  from  Jerusalem  : and,  in 
the  parallel  passages  of  Ezekiel  and  Joel,  which  similarly  treat  of 
Judah’s  restoration  in  the  last  ages,  these  same  living  waters  are 
said  to  flow  out  of  the  temple. 

The  language,  here  employed,  is  doubtless  figurative  ; but,  tho’ 
figurative,  it  is  stiU  perfectly  familiar  and  intelligible  to  those  who 
have  paid  even  a moderate  attention  only  to  prophetic  phraseology. 
As  it  is  justly  observed  by  Mr.  Lowth,  while  commenting  on  the 

ner  long  unknown,  tke  spirit  of  the  antichrist,  which  is  defined  by  St.  John  to  con- 
sist in  a more  or  less  intense  denial  of  the  Father  and  the  Son,  is  also  peculiarly 
rampant  and  active. — 1 John  ii,  23,  23.  iv.  1 — 3.  2 John  7.  Thus  are  the  materials 
preparing  for  the  last  great  contest,  which,  according  to  the  general  voice  of  proph- 
ecy, win  be  decided  between  the  two  seas  of  Palestine.'  The  apostate  empire,  or  the 
embodied  antichrist,  lies  at  present  in  its  predicted  state  of  heedlessness  or  political 
death  ; but  we  are  assured,  that  the  same  short-lived  seventh  head,  which  in  our 
own  day  has  been  mortally  wounded  by  the  sword  of  war,  will  hereafter  be  healed 
and  restored  to  life  and  activity.  See  my  Dissertations  on  the  1260  days,  volume  iii. 
Dissertation  1. 


5 


jiassage  from  Zechariah,  the  supplies  of  grace  are  often  repre- 
sented in  Scripture  by  rivers  and  streams  of  water,  which  both 
cleanse  and  make  fruitful  the  ground  through  which  they  pass.” 

On  this  well-known  principle,  then,  of  interpretation,  as  the  mean- 
ing of  these  parallel  principles  is  obviously  the  same,  so  it  is  hard 
to  say  what  can  be  intended  by  the  efflux  of  living  waters  fromJe- 
rmalem  or  from  the  temple  during  the  period  which  immediately 
follows  the  restoration  of  the  Jenvs,  unless  it  be  the  communication 
of  the  gospel  to  the  great  body  of  the  now  unbelieving  Grentiles  by 
the  ancient  people  of  God  immediately  after  their  own  conversion, 
Under  the  image  of  a river  flowing  out  from  the  temple  of  Jerusa- 
lem, the  waters  of  which  gradually  rise  until  they  become  a mighty 
stream  which  cannot  be  passed  over,  and  which  itself  communicates 
health  and  life  whithersoever  it  cometh,  is  clearly  and  aptly  shad- 
owed out  the  benefleent  progress  of  the  gospel  from  the  metropolis 
of  the  converted  and  restored  Israelites  through  every  province  and 
kingdom  of  the  Gentile  world. 

Accordingly,  what  these  three  prophets  teach  us  figuratively, 
others  teach  us  plainly  and  literally  and  unequivocally. 

Isaiah  tells  us  that,  when  “ in  the  last  days  the  mountain  of  the 
Lord’s  house  shall  be  established  in  the  top  of  the  momitains,  all 
nations  shall  flow  unto  it.  And  many  people  shall  go  and  say. 
Come  ye,  and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  to  the  house 
of  the  God  of  Jacob : and  he  will  teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will 
walk  in  his  paths : for  out  of  Zion  shall  go  forth  the  law,  and  the 
word  of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem.” 

Fi*om  this  passage  we  learn,  that  the  figurative  living  waters, 
flow  from  the  temple  immediately  after  the  restoration  of  the  Jews, 
are  in  truth  the  law  and  the  word  of  the  Lord ; which  similarly  and 
at  the  very  same  period  go  forth  from  Jerusalem  and  mount  Zion, 
and  which  similarly  and  at  the  very  same  period  bring  about  the 
healing,  or  the  life,  or  the  conveision  of  all  nations.  Nor  can  we 
allow,  agreeably  to  the  once-prevalent  mischievous  humor  of  what 
was  called  spiritualizing  the  prophecies,  that  the  present  Gentile 
Christian  church  is  spoken  of  in  the  predictions  which  have  been 
cited.  Isaiah  is  careful  to  tell  us,  that  the  word,  which  he  saw, 
concerned  Judah  and  Jerusalem : and  the  whole  context  of  the  or- 
acles of  Zechariah,  and  Joel,  and  Ezekiel,  proves,  I think,  indispu- 
tably, that  they  arc  incapable  of  any  other  application  than  to  God’s 
ancient  people,  now  happily  converted  and  restored. 

The  same  remark  may  be  made  upon  anotherJweU-known  proph- 
ecy of  Isaiah,  which,  by  the  process  of  spiritualization,  has  often 
been  perverted  from  the  literal  house  of  Israel,  to  the  Clmistian 
church  already  gathered  from  among  the  Gentiles. 

“ Arise,  shine  ; for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
is  risen  upon  thee.  For,  behold,  darkness  shall  cover  the  earth. 


y 


ajul  i2;ross  darkness  the  people  : but  the  Lord  shall  arise  upon  theoj 
and  Ids  glory  shall  bo  seen  upon  thee.  And  the  Gentiles  shall  come 
to  thy  light ; and  kings  to  the  brightness  of  thy  rising.  Jdft  up 
thine  eyes  round  about,  and  see  : all  they  gather  themselves  to- 
gelhei' — they  come  to  tliee  : thy  sons  shall  come  from  far,  and  thy 
daughters  shall  be  nui-sed  at  thy  side.  Then  thou  shall  see,  and 
Ilow  together ; and  thine  heart  shall  fear,  and  be  oidarged  : be- 
cause the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall  bo  converted  unto  thee,  tho 
forces  of  the  Gentiles  shall  come  unto  thee.” 

Let  any  ono  read  attentively  the  whole  prediction,  whence  this 
passage  is  taken ; and  he  will,  I tlunk,  be  satisfied,  that  tho  literal 
Israel  of  God,  now  converted  ;uid  restored  to  their  own  land,  is  tho 
community  addressed  by  the  prophet.  Lut,  if  .so,  then  undoubted- 
ly the  house  of  Israel  is  described  as  the  appointed  instriuueut  of 
conveying  the  light  of  Christianity  to  the  Gentiles. 

As  tho  progress  of  the  gospel  through  the  agency  of  the  Jews  is 
represented  under  the  image  of  living  waters  i.<suing  forth  from  tho 
temple  of  Jerusalem  ; so,  according  to  the  usage  of  the  ancient 
prophets,  we  lind  the  same  great  circumstance  depicted  also  under 
other  figures. 

In  the  latter  day,  when  Judah  shall  have  been  delivered  from 
the  hand  of  Ins  enemies,  the  remnant  of  Jacob,”  wo  are  assured 
by  Micah,  shall  be  in  tho  midst  of  many  ] cople,  as  the  d^  '-;  from 
the  Lonl — as  the  showei-s  upon  the  grass  :”  that  is  to  say,  as 
Archbishop  Newcome  well  remarks,  the  Jews  contributed  to 
spread  the  knowledge  of  the  one  true  God  during  their  captivity  in 
Babylon : the  gospel  was  preached  by  them,  w hen  the  iSiessialx  ap- 
peared ; and  it  shall  again  be  propagated  by  theii’  futui’C  glorious 
restoration.” 

Such  being  the  rcmax-kablc  office  of  the  house  of  Israel  in  all  a- 
ges,  we  shall  not  wonder  to  find  them  styled  by  the  prophet  llosea, 
“ the  Jezreel,  or  “■  the  seed  of  God.  AVhen  at  length  “ the  chil- 
dren of  Judixh  shall  be  collected,  and  the  children  of  Israel  shall 
be  united,  and  they  shall  appoint  themselves  one  head,  and  shall 
come  up  from  the  earth  ; then  great  shall  be  the  day  of  Jezreel.” 
Why  is  this  singular  title  bestowed  upon  God’s  ancient  people  ? — 
“ Great  and  happy  shall  be  the  day,”  says  Bishop  Horsley,  when 
the  holy  seed  of  both  bran'  aes  of  the  natural  Israel  shall  be  public- 
ly acknowledged  of  their  God — united  under  one  head — their  king 
Messiah  ; and  restored  to  the  possession  of  the  pi’omised  land,  and 
to  a situation  of  high  pi’C-eminence  among  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth. 
The  myria'ds  of  the  natural  Israel,  converted  by  the  preaching  of 
the  apostles,  were  the  fii-st  seed  of  the  universal  church  ; and  there 
is  reason  to  believe,  that  the  restoration  of  the  converted  Jews  will 
be  the  occasion  and  means  of  a prodigious  infiux  of  new  converts 
from  the  Gentiles  in  the  latter  ages.  Thus  the  Jezreel  of  the  na- 

2 


10 


tural  Israel  from  the  first  have  been,  and  to  the  last  will  prove,  a 
seed  sown  of  God  for  Inmself  in  the  earth.” 

And  now  let  us  once  more  turn  from  the  figured  to  the  unfigur- 
ed language  of  prophecy. 

What  does  the  prophet  Zechariah  teach  us,  when,  quitting  the 
sombolical  style,  he  speaks  plainly  and  literally  and  prosaically  ? 

“ Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.  It  shall  yet  come  to  pass,  that 
there  shall  come  people,  and  the  inhabitants  of  many  cities  : and 
the  inhabitants  of  one  city  shall  go  to  another,  saying.  Let  us  go 
up  speedily  to  pray  before  the  Lord,  and  to  seek  the  Lord  of  hosts : 
I will  go  also.  Yea,  many  people  and  strong  nations  shall  come  to 
seek  the  Lord  of  hosts  in  Jerusalem,  and  to  pray  before  the  Lord. 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.  In  those  days  it  shall  come  to  pass, 
that  ten  men  shall  take  hold,  oht  of  all  lang\iages  of  the  nations,  e- 
ven  shall  take  hold  of  the  skirt  of  liim  that  is  a Jew,  saying.  We 
will  go  with  you ; for  we  have  heard  that  God  is  with  you.” 

This  passage,  on  the  principle  of  Israel’s  being  the  appointed 
seed  of  God  in  all  ages.  Archbishop  Newcomc  applies  with  an  equi- 
valent degree  of  largeness.  “ It  refers,”  says  he,  “ to  the  great 
accession  of  converts  which  the  Jewish  church  received  between 
the  captivity  and  the  coming  of  Christ,  to  the  number  of  Christian 
disciples  which  the  Jewish  preachers  made,  and  to  the  future  con- 
versions of  which  the  restoration  of  the  Jews  will  be  an  eminent 
cause.” 

(2)  The  Hebrew  prophets  being  thus  explicit,  we  may  natural- 
ly expect  to  find  the  same  matter  propounded  and  recognized  un- 
der the  Christian  dispensation. 

St.  Paul,  accordingly,  as  he  is  understood  by  our  best  commen- 
tators, sets  forth,  with  abundant  plainness,  tliis  interesting  and  im- 
portant truth. 

“ God  hath  not  cast  away  his  people  which  he  foreknew.  I say 
then.  Have  they  stumbled  that  they  shoidd  fiill  ? God  forbid  : but 
rather  through  their  fall,  salvation  is  come  unto  the  Gentiles,  for  to 
provoke  them  to  jealousy.  Now,  if  the  fall  of  them  be  the  riches 
of  the  world,  and  tlie  diminishing  of  them  the  riclies  of  the  Gen- 
tiles ; how  much  more  their  fullness  ? For,  if  the  casting  away  of 
them  be  the  reconciling  of  the  world,  what  shall  the  receiving  of 
them  be  but  life  from  the  dead  ?” 

The  passage  before  us  is  commonly  supposed  to  Intimate,  that 
the  converted  Jews  would  be  the  grand  instmment  of  finally  con- 
verting the  Gentiles  ; and,  I think,  with  good  reason  ; for,  on  any 
other  principle  of  exposition,  it  is  difficult  to  understand  the  drift 
and  to  perceive  the  cogency  of  the  apostle’s  argiuncnt.  His  rea- 
soning is  to  this  purpose  : 

“ If  the  fall  of  the  Jews  be  the  riches  of  the  Gentiles,  because 
in  the  first  ages  a Gentile  church  was  gathered  out  of  the  world  to 


ll 


occupy  the  place  wliich  the  Jews  once  held,  how  muchmorc  emi- 
neutly  must  the  fullness  of  the  Jews,  when  themselves  converted , 
be  the  riches  of  the  Gentiles  ? For,  if  the  casting  away  of  the  Jews 
be  the  reconciling  of  those  Gentiles,  who  early  received  the  faith  of 
Christ,  what  will  be  the  receiving  of  the  converted  J ews  into  the 
pale  of  the  Christian  church,  but  Ufe  from  the  dead  to  those  Gen- 
tiles, who,  as  yet,  have  remained  in  an  unconverted  state  ?” 

Now,  imless  we  suppose  this  to  be  the  argument  of  the  apostle, 
we  shall  find  it  no  e;xsy  matter  to  comprehend  the  drift  and  object 
of  his  rcasoiung.  The  conversion  of  the  Jews  is  described  as  being 
much  nwre  eminently  l)encficlal  to  the  great  collective  body  of  the 
Gentiles,  than  tlie  conversion  of  those  Gentiles  who  in  the  apostohe 
age  had  embraced  Christianity:  that  is  to  say,  the  Gentiles  collec- 
tively are  represented  as  being  ?ni<ch  more  benefited  by  the  yet  fu- 
ture conversion  of  the  Jews,  than  they  were  by  that  partial  conver- 
sion of  certain  members  only  of  their  own  body  which  has  hitherto 
taken  place.  A great  benefit,  no  doubt,  was  conferred  upon  the 
Gentiles,  even  by  a partial  admission  into  the  church  ; for  St.  Paul 
styles  this  benefit  the  riches  of  the  Gentiles,  and  the  reconciling  of 
the  world : but  then  he  contends,  tliat  an  infinitely  greater  benefit, 
a benefit  which  he  celebrates  as  life  fro-rn  the  dead,  will  be  confer- 
red upon  them  by  the  receiving  of  the  J ews.  Yet  how  can  this  be 
possible  on  any  other  ground,  than  that  the  converted  J ews  are  des- 
tined to  convert  the  mighty  multitude  of  the  yet  unconverted  Gen- 
tiles ? IIow,  on  any  other  interpi-ctation,  will  the  apostle’s  argu- 
ment, plainly  an  argument  from  the  less  to  the  greater,  stand  good  ? 
Let  us  thus  understand  St.  Paul,  and  the  whole  ■will  be  clear  and 
luminous,  and  strictly  conclusive  : but,  if  'we  suppose  liim  to  mean 
something  else  than  the  future  conversion  of  the  Gentile  tcorld  by 
the  prcviovsly  converted  'fews,  we  shall  find  ourselves  obliged  to  view 
him  as  making  the  strangely  incongi-uous  assertion,  that,  however 
great  a benefit  to  the  Gentiles  was  their  o^vn  partial  conversion  in 
the  apostohe  age,  yet  the  naJeed  and  insulated  conversion  of  iho 
Jews,  -with  which  they  have  no  special  concern  beyond  the  mere 
general  satisfaction  springing  from  simple  philanthropic  good-will, 
must  needs  be  an  infinitely  greater  benefit  to  the  whole  collective 
mass  of  the  Gentiles.  Who,  I may  ask,  does  not  at  once  perceive 
the  incongruity  of  such  an  assertion  ? We  Gentiles  may  doubtless 
rejoice,  even  abstractedly  and  disinterestedly,  at  the  bare  circum- 
stance of  the  coversion  of  the  Jews  ; that  is  to  say,  we  may  rejoice 
at  it  even  on  the  supposition  that  the  benefit  of  their  conversion  be- 
gan and  ended  vdth  themselves  : but  it  is  not  in  human  nature, 
nay,  it  is  contrary  to  plain  common  sense,  that  we  should  be  so  mar- 
vellously and  outrageously  disinterested,  as  to  deem  the  conversion 
of  the  Jews  a much  greater  benefit  to  us  than  our  own  conversion. 

Thus  necessary  is  it  to  the  conclusiveness  of  St.  Paul’s  argu- 


n 


ment,  that  he  should  be  understood  as  reasoning  from  the  ancient- 
ly predicted  circumstance  of  the  eonveraion  of  the  Gentiles  hy  the 
previously  converted  Jews. 

II.  Here,  however,  a question  very  natm-ally  arises,  to  which  it 
is  of  no  small  importauce  to  aSbrd  a satisfactory  answer. 

If  the  great  unreclaimed  mass  of  the  Gentiles  is  to  be  brought 
into  the  cliurch  by  the  converted  Jews — if  the  epoch  of  their  being 
thus  brought  is  especially  fixed  to  the  last  ages,  and  if  the  Jews 
themselves  are  to  go  forth  as  missionaries  immediately,  or  at  least 
very  shortly  after  their  own  conversion,  then  it  is  clear  that  the 
Jews  also  themselves  will  not  be  converted  until  we  shall  very  close- 
ly have  approached  the  confines  of  the  last  ages  ; and,  if  the  Jews 
themselves,,  therefore,  will  not  be  converted  until  the  appointed 
time  shall  arrive,  where  is  the  utility  of  laboring  to  bring  about  an 
event,  unless  Ave  have  some  good  reason  to  bcheve  that  the  appoint- 
ed time  of  its  accomplishment  is  near  at  hand  ? 

To  this,  or  to  some  such  obvious  question,  it  has  frequently  been 
answered,  that  we  knoAv  not  the  times  and  the  seasons  : that  it  is 
our  duty  to  labor,  and  to  leave  the  result  in  God’s  hand ; and  that 
if  only  a handful  of  converts  be  obtained,  it  is  a sufficient  rccom- 
pence  for  every  exertion. 

There  may  be  some  truth  in  such  a reply  ; but,  however  we  may 
theoretically  assent  to  certain  of  the  positions  contained  in  it,  I 
doubt  Avhether  inpraeixee  it  Avill  not  greatly  tend  to  slacken  our  ef- 
forts ; for  it  is  not  in  our  nature  to  Avork  heartily,  if  Ave  have  but  a 
very  faint,  or  uncertain,  or  trifling  prospect  of  success.  "Wherever 
this  is  the  case,  let  it  be  right,  or  let  it  be  Avrong,  still,  so  far  as  re- 
gards simple  matter  of  fact,  we  are  all  inclined  to  turn  our  exer- 
tions from  a less  promising  to  a more  promising  field  ; and  I think 
it  far  from  clear,  whether  such  an  ansAver  he  not  one  of  the  most 
prejudicial  to  the  cause  of  JeAA’isli  missions  that  could  have  been  de- 
vised. Hut,  hoAvcAmr  this  may  be,  the  ansAver,  in  the  present  day 
at  least,  is  happily  quite  Avidc  of  the  mark  : the  real  and  proper 
ansAver  to  tlic  question  is,  that  we  have  fall  reason  to  hoioefor  suc- 
cess in  the  national  conversion  of  the  Jews,  because  the  appointed 
time  of  its  accomplishment  is  near  at  hand — so  near  in  truth  as  to 
he,  comparatively  at  least,  cd  our  very  doors. 

1.  Men  Avho'have  paid  little  or  no  attention  to  the  subject,  are 
apt  to  speak  of  the  conversion  of  Judah  as*  a matter  left  av holly  un- 
certain and  undetermined  in  point  of  chronology. 

(1)  Noav  this  is  very  fiAr  from  being  the  case  ; so  far,  indeed, 
that  the  jestoration  and  attendant  conversion  of  the  Jcavs,  is  dis- 
tinctly and  definitely  fixed  to  one  special  chronological  epoch. 

Exactly  on  the  same  mi.xcd  principles  of  arithmetic  and  history, 
that  Daniel  calculated  tlie  approaching  return  of  his  people  from 
Babylon,  and  that  the  IlebreAV  contemporaries  and  immediate  sue- 


cessors  of  our  Lord  calculated  the  speedy  manifestation  of  tlie  prom- 
ised Messiah,  on  those  identical  principles  may  we  calculate  the 
rapidly  approaching  conversion  and  restoration  of  Judah. 

Nor  let  it  be  idly  pretended,  that,  to  make  such  a calculation, 
we  ourselves  need  to  be  insinrod.  There  is  not  the  slightest  rea- 
son to  suppose,  that  even  Daniel  wa.s  inspired  for  tlic  mere  purpose 
of  computing  the  seventy  years  of  the  J?abylonian  captivity  : in  re- 
spect to  this  matter,  he  describes  himself,  not  as  authoritatively 
speaking  under  the  influence  of  inspiration,  but  as  simply  turning  to 
the  book  of  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  and  as  thence  understanding 
(just  as  any  other  person  might  understand)  that  the  jiredictcd 
seventy  yeat^  must  have  been  well  nigh  accomplished  in  the  deso- 
lations of  Jerusalem.  Still  less  reason  is  there  to  ascribe  any  in- 
spiration to  those  who,  at  the  time  of  our  Lord’s  nativity,  were  look- 
ing  for  the  promised  redemption  : the  ground  of  their  hope  was 
doubtless  a calculation  of  the  seventy  prophetic  weeks,  made,  not  by 
virtue  of  anv  special  light  communicated  from  heaven,  but  simjily 
and  solely  as  they  svould  make  any  other  numerical  calculation. — 
Yet,  taken  in  a large  sense,  each  calculation  was  established  by 
the  event. 

I do  not  apprehend  either  that  Daniel  could  leaim,  from  the 
number  specified  by  Jeremiah,  the  erai't  year  in  which  Judah 
should  return  from  Babylon ; or  that  the  Hebrews  in  the  time  of 
our  Lord,  could  learn,  from  the  number  specified  by  Daniel,  thecae 
act  year  in  Avliich  the  ilessiah  should  be  manifested.  The  reason 
of  this  mingled  certainty  and  uncertainty  is  well  known  to  those, 
who  have  paid  any  attention  to  the  study  of  prophecy.  A jrriori, 
the  seventy  years  of  Jeremiah  might  be  plausibly  computed  from 
more  than  a single  era  : Daniel  therefore  would,  in  general,  be  cer- 
tain, that  they  must  nearly  have  run  out,  because  seventy  years 
had  elapsed  from  the  sacking  of  Jerusalem  by  Nebuchadnezzar; — 
though,  in  particular,  from  his  not  assuredly  knowing  the  precise 
era  from  which  they  ought  to  be  computed,  he  would  be  uncertain 
as  to  the  exact  year  of  their  expiration.  In  a similar  manner,  the 
seventy  weeks  of  Daniel  might,  a priori,  be  plausibly  reckoned  from 
more  than  one  edict  of  the  Persian  sovereigns  : the  Hebrews,  there 
fore,  in  the  time  of  our  Lord,  would  be  certain,  in  general,  that" 
they  must  nearly  have  run  out,  because  from  their  omi  historical 
documents,  they  well  knew  the  dates  of  those  several  edicts — tho’, 
in  particular,  from  their  necessary  ignorance  as  to  tuhicli  of  the  c- 
dicts  ought  to  be  esteemed  the  true  date  of  the  period,  they  would 
be  uncertain  as  to  the  exact  year  when  it  would  terminate. 

Accordingly,  from  this  very  mixture  of  certainty  and  uncertain- 
ty, an  expectation  of  the  promised  Messiah  commenced  some  years 
before  the  birth  of  Christ,  and  it  continued  on  the  same  avowed 
principle  of  calculation,  umong  the  unconverted  Jews,  until  the  very 


14 


sacking  of  Jerusalem  by  Titus.  The  event  proved  them  generally 
in  the  right ; for  it  might  he  certainly  known,  that  the  Messiah 
would  appear  at  some  point  vntliin  the  limits  of  an  easily  specified 
period — though,  for  the  obvious  reasons  which  have  been  alleged, 
it  was  uncertain^  in  particular,  at  what  precise  point  within  the 
limits  of  the  period  in  question,  his'  manifestation  would  take  place. 

(2)  On  this  same  principle  it  is,  that  we  may  safely  pronounce 
the  conversion  and  restoration  of  the  Jews  to  be  near  at  hand  ; — 
though,  a priori,  no  man  can  be  absolutely  certain  as  to  the  exact 
year. 

Very  plausible  conjectures  indeed  may  be  made,  even  in  regard 
to  the  precise  year  ; but  still  they  are  only  conjectures.  We  are 
certain,  in  general,  as  to  the  period  about  which  the  Jews  will  be 
converted  and  restored  : we  are  uncertain,  in  particular,  as  to  tha 
exact  point  of  time  w’hen  that  great  event  will  occur. 

The  reason  of  this  mingled  certainty  and  uncertainty,  is  the 
very  same  as  that  which  has  been  already  assigned  in  the  two  ca- 
ses of  the  seventy  years  and  the  seventy  wrecks  : the  period  which 
defines  the  restoration  of  Judah,  may  be  plausibly  reckoned  from 
more  than  a single  era ; and,  though  we  know  in  general  that  this 
period  must  have  nearly  run  out,  yet,  as  we  neither  do  nor  can 
know  with  absolute  certainly  the  specific  era  whence  it  ought  to  be 
computed,  so  neither  can  Ave  knOAv  with  absolute  certainty  the  pre- 
cise time  of  its  expiration. 

The  period  in  question  is  that  w'hich,  by  Daniel  and  St.  John,  is 
variously  expressed  as  three  times  and  a half,  or  forty-two  months, 
or  1260  days ; and  these  times,  and  months,  and  days,  are  undoubt- 
edly to  be  understood,  like  Daniel’s  seventy  Aveeks,  not  naturally, 
but  prophetically, — in  other  Avords,  the  allotted  period  is  equivalent, 
when  the  universal  necessity  and  certain  Hebrew  practice  of  inter- 
calation is  considered,  to  1260  natural  solar  years. 

Noav,  as  Mede  and  our  best  expositors  rightly  understand  him, 
Daniel  expressly  fixes  the  restoration  of  the  J cavs  to  the  end  of  this 
period.  The  Avonders  Avhich  the  prophet  has  been  foretelling,  are 
all  to  be  fulfilled  when  the  period  of  1260  years  shall  expire  ; but 
the  scattering  of  the  holy  people  among  all  nations  is  to  be  finished 
when  the  wonders  shall  be  fulfilled  : therefore,  the  scattermg  of 
the  holy  people  is  to  be  finished  Avhen  the  period  of  1260  years  shall 
expire. 

(3.)  I am  fully  aAvare,  that  some  modems,  anxious  to  maintain 
their  favorite  opinion,  that  the  1260  years  have  already  expired, 
are  clearly  pnough  perceiving  that  such  an  opinion  cannot  stand 
Avith  the  old  and  true  exposition  of  Daniel’s  declaration,  have  en- 
deavored to  set  aside  that  exposition. 

With  this  view,  they  contend,  that  by  the  holy  people,  Ave  are  not 
to  understand  the  JeAvs,  but  certain  pious  Christians  who  are  else- 


15 


where  described  as  living  in  a state  of  persecution  during  the  same 
term  of  12ti0  year’s.  Such  a gloss,  however,  though  doubtless  ne- 
cessary to  serve  an  expository  turn,  as  it  was  never  dreamed  of  by 
Mede  and  those  who  had  no  particular  turn  to  serve,  so  it  is  utter- 
ly irreconcileablo  both  with  the  whole  context  of  the  passage,  and 
with  the  particidar  phraseology  of  the  passage  itself. 

As  for  the  context,  the  revealing  angel  infoi-ms  Paniel,  tliat,  du- 
ring that  period  of  imexampled  trouble,  in  the  course  of  which  anti- 
christ witli  his  rebel  host  is  destroyed,  and  which  itself  is  always 
described  as  occurring  at  the  close  of  the  l’2t50  years,  the  ]ieople  of 
the  prophet  shall  ccrtaiidy  be  delivered  : and  immediately  after- 
wards it  is  added,  that  tliese  1'2G0  years,  or  three  times  and  a half, 
will  expire,  when  the  predicted  wondci's  shall- have  been  accomplish- 
ed, and  when  tlic  scattering  of  the  holy  people  shall  be  finished. 

No^Y,  what  would  Daniel  himself — what  would  any  Jew — what 
>^uld  any  miprejudiced  person,  understand  by  such  declarations  ? 
Would  it  ever  be  for  one  moment  imagined,  that  by  the  people  of 
the  prophet  the  holy  people  were  meant,  not  the  Jews,  but 

certain  pious  Gentile  Christians  (^tlie  spiritual  people,  I presume  it 
would  be  said,  of  Daniel)  who,  in  quite  a difterent  prediction,  are 
represented  as  being  in  a state  of  persecution  during  tlie  same  pe- 
riod of  three  times  and  a half  ? Certaiidy,  when  the  angel  said  to 
Daniel,  at  that  time  TilY  people  shall  be  delivered,  the  prophet 
would  obviously  conclude,  that  Ins  own  literal  people,  or  the  house 
of  Judah,  was  intended  ; and  afterwards,  when  he  heard  it  further 
declared  that  the  scattering  of  the  holy  people  should  be  finished  at 
close  of  the  throe  times  and  a half,  he  would  just  as  obviously  con- 
clude, that  by  the  holy  people  was  meant  his  otvn  people,  of  whom 
the  angel  immediately  before  had  been  speaking ; and  whose  deliv- 
erance he  had  fixed  to  an  epoch,  wliich  (as  all  agree)  coincides 
with  the  termination  of  tlie  three  times  and  a half — a calculation  to 
which  he  would  be  the  more  naturally  led,  from  the  application  of 
the  epithet  holy,  so  familiar  to  Jewish  ears  whenever  ei^er  the  na- 
tion or  the  metropolitan  city  was  spoken  of. 

So  again,  if  we  advert  to  the  peculiar  phraseology  of  the  pas- 
sage itself,  we  shall  still  find  the  same  interpretation  irresistibly 
forced  upon  us. 

Daniel’s  people,  or  tlie  holy  people  is  said  to  have  been  scatter- 
ED  ; and  tins  their  scattering  is  to  be  finished  at  the  close  of  the 
three  times  and  a half.  WTiat  then  are  we  to  imdei-stand  by  the 
SCATTERING  Or  the  DISPERSION,  here  predicated  of  Daniel’s  holy 
people  ? And  who  are  the  people  tlius  scattered  or  dispersed 
for  a season,  and  at  length  at  the  end  of  the  three  times  and  a half 
brought  back  from  this  their  scatterinc  or  dispersion  ? Shall  we 
say,  that  this  dispersed  people  are  certain  pious  Gentile  Christians, 
who  labor  under  persecution  during  the  term  of  1260  years  ? — 


16 


Those  good  men  have  doubtless  lived,  according  to  the  several  pla- 
ces of  their  nati\'ity,  some  in  Bohemia — some  in  Germany — some 
in  Savoy — some  in  Provence — some  in  England  ; but  can  this  di- 
versity of  local  habitation  be  meant  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  when  ho 
so  em])hatically  speaks  of  the  scattering  of  Daniel’s  holy  people  ; 
and  is  it  from  such  a scattering  that  they  are  all  to  be  gathered  to- 
gether into  some  one  particular  region  at  the  close  of  the  appointed 
period  T Surely  this  is  a mere  childish  trifling  with  words  ; and  yet, 
save  such  trifling  emigrations  as  those  produced  by  the  revocation 
of  the  edict  of  Nantz,  or  by  the  synchronical  persecution  of  the 
"W'aldneses,  it  is  not  easy  to , point  out  any  other  scattering,  wliich 
the  harrassed  Christians  of  the  middle  ages  have  experienced. — 
What  then  is  the  result,  which  (I  think)  inevitably  springs  from 
the  peculiar  phraseology  of  the  passage  ? Clearly  it  is  this : that 
Daniel’s  people,  who  are  said  to  be  scattered,  and  whose  scattei-iim 
is  accomplished  or  finished  at  the  end  of  the  three  times  and  a ha* 
can  only  be  the  natural  house  of  Judah,  the  remarkable  circum- 
stance of  whose  dispersion  is  notorious  and  familiar  to  the  whole 
world. 

(4.)  This  old  and  (if  I mistake  not)  irrefragable  Interpretation 
of  the  passage  exactly  agrees  with  the  parallel  prophecies  of  our 
Lord  and  St.  Paul ; for  all  the  three,  in  truth,  mutually  elucidate 
and  corroborate  each  other. 

Our  Lord  assures  us,  that  the  Jews  “ shall  be  led  away  captive 
into  all  nations,  and  that  Jerusalem  shall  he  trodden  down  of  the 
Gentiles,  until  the  times  of  the  Gentiles  he  fulfilled.”  Here,  a fix- 
ed terra  is  assigned  for  the  end  of  the  captivity  or  dispereion  of  J u- 
dah ; and  that  fixed  term  is  the  expiration  of  the  times  of  the  Gen- 
tiles. What  then  are  these  times  of  the  Gentiles ; and  to  what 
does  our  Lord  refer,  when  he  thus  speaks  of  them  ? He  refers,  I 
think,  ])lainly  enough  to  the  very  passage  in  Daniel  which  we  Imve 
been  considering ; for  such  an  expression  as  the  times  of  the  Gen- 
tiles is  not  to  be  deemed  a mere  arbitrary  and  accidental  phrase — a 
phrase  then  first  employed — a phrase  wholly  indefinite — a phrase 
which  has  no  relation  to  more  ancient  prophecies.  Accordingly, 
“ the  captivity  of  Judah  among  all  nations,”  foretold  by  our  Lord, 
corresponds  with  the  “scattering  of  the  holy  people,”  mentioned  by 
Daniel ; and  “ the  mighty  revolutions  in  the  course  of  which  the 
captivity  of  Judah  is  to  be  turned,”  as  announced  in  the  prophecy 
of  Christ,  answer  to  “ the  period  of  unexampled  trouble  during 
which  the  pcojde  of  Daniel  is  to  be  delivered,”  as  predicted  in  the 
oracle  of  the  Ilcbrew  seer.  Such  being  the  case,  “ the  times  of 
the  Gentiles,”  as  Alede  long  since  rightly  pronounced,  arc  the  same 
period  as  “ the  three  times  and  a half” — unless,  indeed,  what  how- 
ever will  make  no  difference  in  regard  to  termination,  we  may  rath- 
er choose  to  identify  them  with  that  integral  tenu  of  seven  times. 


17 


the  latter  moiety  of  which  is  the  celebrated  three  timet  and  a half, 
of  Daniel  and  St.  John,  and  the  complete  duration  of  which  meas- 
ures the  chronological  length  of  the  four  great  Gentile  empires, 
when  computed  from  the  birth  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  the  head  of  gold. 
Hence  it  follows,  thut  our  Lord,  thus  confinning  and  explaining  the 
oracle  of  Daniel,  similarly  declares,  that  the  captivity  or  scattei-ing 
of  Judah  shall  come  to  an  end  when  three  times  and  a half  shall 
expire. 

In  like  manner,  St.  Paul  teaches,  that  “ blindness  in  part  is  hap- 
pened to  Israel,  until  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles  be  come.”  The 
apostle  docs  not  mean  to  say,  as  many  have  eiToneously  understood 
him,  that  the  fulness  of  the  Gentile  converts  must  come  into  the 
church,  before  blindness  shall  depart  from  Israel : for,  if  he  did,  ho 
would  contradict  the  whole  tenor  of  prophecy,  which  makes  the  con- 
version of  Judah  yweetfe  andy>ro(fMee  the  general  conversion  of  the 
Gentiles,  and  succeed  and  he  produced  by  it.  But  he  means  to  say, 
that  Israel  for  the  most  part  ■will  remain  in  a state  of  spiritual  blind- 
ness, until  the  fulness  or  accomplishment  of  the  times  of  the  Gen- 
tiles shall  arrive.  He  refers  to  the  prophecy  of  oiu*  Lord,  just  as 
om'  Lord  referred  to  the  prophecy  of  Daniel  ; and  thus  all  the 
three  agree  in  telling  us,  that  Judah  will  be  restored  and  in  part 
converted  at  the  close  of  the  times  of  the  Gentiles,  or  of  the  three 
times  and  a half,  or  of  the  1260  years. 

(5.)  Tliis  point  being  suflBciently  established,  it  is  plain,  that,  if 
we  certainly  knew  the  precise  year  in  which  tliis  grand  period  com- 
menced, ■v\'c  should  also  certainly  know  the  precise  year  in  which 
the  dispersion  of  Judah  will  tenaoinate. 

But  here  ■we  are  encountered  by  that  mixture  of  certainty  and 
uncertainty,  which  I have  already  taken  occasion  to  notice  and  ac- 
count for. 

We  are  certain,  that  by  far  the  greater  part  ot  the  1260  years 
more,  for  instance,  than  twelve  centuries,  must  needs  have  runout ; 
because,  according  to  the  excellent  remark  of  Bishop  Hurd,  if  we 
simply  turn  to  the  history  of  the  middle  ages,  we  shall  find,  that  a 
notoriously  corrupt  ecclesiastical  power,  which  in  every  respect  an- 
swers to  the  symbol  whose  antitype  is  destined  to  reign  tyrannical- 
ly in  the  church  through  a period  of  three  times  and  a half,  has 
been  destmed,  in  its  apostatic  state,  on  the  far-famed  seven  hills  of 
the  imperial  city,  at  the  very  least,  twelve  centuries  : consequent- 
ly, in  the  present  day,  we  caimot  be  very  far  removed  from  the 
1260  years.  Yet  we  are  necessarily  uncertain  as  to  the  precise 
year  in  ivhich  this  grand  period  ■will  expire  ; because,  there  being 
several  eras  whence  the  period  may  plainly  enough  be  computed, 
we  can  never  decide  a priori  with  absolute  certainty,  "WHICH  of 
these  eras  affords  the  true  date  of  the  period. 

Hence  we  are  certain,  that  the  1260  years  have  not  yet  expi- 
3 


18 


red  ; because  tbe  restoration  of  Judah,  which  distinctly  marks  their 
expiration,  has  not  yet  commenced. 

Hence  too  we  are  certain,  that  the  restoration,  and  therefore  the 
antecedent  partial  conversion  of  Judah  cannot  be  very  remote  ; be- 
cause that  restoration  commences  at  the  end  of  the  1260  years  ; 
and  liistory  proves,  that  more  than  twelve  centuries  of  that  period 
must  already  have  run  out.  But  then  hence  too  we  are  uncertain 
as  to  the  exact  year  when -Judah  will  be  restored  ; because,  as  wo 
know  not,  with  absolute  certainty,  the  precise  era  whence  the  1260 
years  are  to  be  reckoned,  we  know  not,  with  absolute  certainty,  the 
precise  year  when  they  expire  ; and,  as  we  know  not  certainly  the 
precise  year  when  they  expire,  we  know  not  certainly  the  precise 
year  when  Judah  will  be  restored. 

2.  Thus  is  the  comparative  nearness  of  this  great  event  estab- 
lished on  the  sure  word  of  arithmetical  prophecy ; and  the  result,  to 
which  we  have  been  brought,  is  confirmed  alike  by  chronological 
prophecy  and  by  the  singplarly  corresponding  signs  of  the  times. 

(1.)  Of  chronological  froyhecy  the  definition  is  a chain  or  se- 
ries of  predictions  extending  in  regular  chronological  order  through 
a long  period  of  time  ; and  it  stands  contradistinguished  from  in- 
sulated prophecy,  which  annomices  only  some  single  insulated  oc- 
currence. 

Now',  if  we  attend  to  the  remarkable  chain  of  chronological  pro- 
phecy with  which  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  has  been  pleased  to  fur- 
nish the  church,  not  giving  the  reins  to  an  uuchastised  fancy,  but 
soberly  takmg  up  tliis  chain  where  Mede  and  others  of  our  excel- 
lent predecessors  have  laid  it  down,  we  shall  find,  that  only  two 
eminent  prophetic  events  remain  to  be  accomplished,  ere  the  1260 
years  shall  have  run  out,  and  ere  Judah  consequently  will  begin  to 
be  restoi’ed. 

These  two  events  are,  the  subversion  of  the  Ottoman  power,  and 
the  revival  of  the  noio  defunct  Roman  empire  under  its  last  form 
of  government. 

The  former  of  the  two,  as  all  our  best  commentators  allow,  marks 
the  commencing  effusion  of  the  sixth  Apocalyptic  vial : the  latter  of 
the  two  is  indefinitely  described,  as  having  taken  place  while  that 
vial  is  in  operation.  But,  with  the  seventh  vial,  at  whatever  pre- 
cise time  it  may  begin  to  flow,  the  1260  years  will  expire.  There- 
fore, with  the  same  seventh  vial,  tlie  restoration  of  Judah  will  com- 
mence. 

Such  is  the  striking  mode  in  which  chi’onologlcal  prophecy  is 
found  to  agree  with  arithmetical  prophecy. 

(2.)  E(|ually  accordant  arc  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  equally 
encouraging  therefore  to  the  benevolent  views  of  tliose  who  seek  to 
bring  the  house  of  Judah  within  the  pale  of  the  Christian  church. 

Whatever  reaaon  there  may  be  to  expect  some  miraculous  inter 


li) 


position  at  tha  timo  ^rhen  the  Jews  ehaU  be  restored  to  their  own 
land,  we  may  much  more  prudently  and  safely  anticipate,  that, 
when  the  time  for  their  conversion  shall  draw  nigh,  God,  who  ordi- 
narily works  by  second  causes,  will  stir  up  the  hearts  of  his  people, 
vigoi'ously  to  attempt  the  task,  will  remove  that  violent  prejudice 
against  them  which  has  so  long  subsisted  among  Christians,  and 
will  excite  a strong  degree  of  interest  in  their  behalf,  mingled  with 
an  intense  cmiosity  in  the  bosoms  (we  may  avcII  nigh  say)  of  wholo 
communities.  Now  this,  I need  scarcely  observe,  has  actually  ta- 
ken place,  after  a manner  unknown  and  unexpected  in  the  days  of 
our  fathers.  The  congregation  at  present  before  me — the  nume- 
rous friends  of  tho  Hebrew  cause  both  in  the  British  islands  and  on 
the  continent — nay,  the  very  existence  and  increase  of  a society 
whose  special  object  is  to  evangelize  the  house  of  Judah  in  every 
quarter  of  the  globe,  arc  all  proofs,  when  taken  in  connexion  with 
tho  chronological  and  arithmetical  argument  ah-cady  set  forth  with 
sufficient  copiousness,  that  the  baud  of  God  is  now  specially  stretch- 
ed forth  upon  the  earth. 

Equally  striking  again  is  the  altered  temper  of  many  of  the  Jews 
themselves.  Time  was,  when  the  converse  of  a Christian  and  the 
veiy  contact  of  the  sacred  volume  of  the  new  covenant  was  an  utter 
abomination  to  the  houso  of  Judah.  Iso  argument  would  be  heard, 
no  book  would  be  read,  which  in  the  slightest  degree  countervailed 
their  prepossessions.  Hedged  in  as  it  were,  and  firmly  intrenched 
within  the  lines  of  prejudice,  they  bade  defiance  to  every  attempt 
at  conversion,  even  had  the  Christian  world  at  large  been  disposed 
to  trouble  them.  But  at  present,  so  far  as  can  be  collected  from 
various  published  accounts,  there  evidently  seems  to  be  an  unusual 
excitation  among  them.  They  no  longer,  at  least  in  many  instan- 
ces, refuse  to  hear  our  pleaded  reasons  : they  readily  accept  and 
perase  our  sacred  code  ; and  they  seem  universally  impressed  with 
an  anxious  and  eager  and  thrilling  expectation,  that  they  are  about 
to  experience  some  great  and  wonderful  national  revolution.  "Wheth- 
er this  originates  from  their  calculating,  like  ourselves,  the  arith- 
metical three  times  and  a half  of  their  owir  prophet  Daniel,  or  wheth- 
er it  arises  from  observing  the  singular  interest  which  has  sprung  up 
on  their  behalf,  in  the  breasts  of  Christians,  I shall  not  pretend  to 
determine.  Certain,  however,  it  is,  that  from  perusing  the  writings 
of  their  ancient  prophets,  the  Rabbles  laid  it  down  as  a canon  of 
their  church,  that  the  fall  of  Rome  would  be  the  rise  and  salvation 
of  Israel. 

III.  After  this  protracted  discussion,  little  need  be  said  in  con- 
clusion. 

So  far  as  I can  judge,,  we  have  every  reason  to  expect  the  com- 
paratively near  restoration  of  the  house  of  Judah.  Whence,  if  their 
restoration  be  near  at  hand,  their  conversion,  at  least  their  partial 


conversion,  must  be  still  nearer  ; for  it  is  plainly  enough  revealed, 
that  one  gi*and  division  of  the  Jews  will  be  restored  in  a converted 
state.  Under  such  circumstances,  so  far  from  despondently  fearing 
that  our  labor  my  be  in  vain,  we  have  abundant  encouragement  to 
expect  the  most  complete  ultimate  success.  I say  not  that  this 
year,  or  the  next  year,  or  the  next  twenty  years,  our  efforts  may 
prevail  upon  any  large  or  national  scale  ; because  I have  no  sure 
warrant  to  assert,  with  positiveness,  the  precise  day  of  their  resto- 
ration. But  this  I will  venture  to  say,  that  their  restoration  can- 
not be  very  distant,  and  consequently  that  their  partial  conversion 
must  be  yet  less  remote. 

On  such  reasonable  grounds,  unless  indeed  all  that  I have  said 
be  deemed  imreasonable,  we  may  advance  in  our  career  with  that 
feeling  of  lively  and  cheerful  energy,  which  an  assured  prospect  of 
ultimate  success  can  only  impart.  Nor  can  I conclude  without  ex- 
pressing the  high  satisfaction  which  I experience,  at  finding,  that 
our  society  is  in  avowed  and  immediate  connexion  with  our  venera- 
ble mother  the  Church  of  England,  and  that,  as  such,  it  is  express- 
ly patronized  by  two  of  our  spiritual  fathers  whose  sanction  may 
well  remove  every  imaginable  objection  to  it  from  the  minds  even  of 
the  most  scrupulous.  In  making  this  observation,  I mean  to  show 
neither  ill-will  nor  disrespect  to  our  protestant  dissenting  brethren. 
They  prefer,  I presume,  their  own  separate  communities,  from  what 
they  deem  sufficient  reasons  : hence,  as  we  conceive  that  we  have 
quite  as  good  reason  to  prefer  the  Church  of  England,  I see  not 
why  we  need  dissemble  our  satisfaction,  that  she  taking  her  proper 
place  as  the  main  bulwark  of  Protestantism — an  honor  which  was 
always  conceded  to  her  m the  days  of  our  Elizabeth  and  our  third 
William. 

Go  forth,  then,  and  prosper  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Lift  high 
the  blazing  torch  of  revelation  to  the  benighted  stock  of  Abraham. 
And  doubt  not,  that,  in  God’s  o\vn  good  time,  your  labor  will  not 
be  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

“ The^^dsion  is  yet  for  an  appointed  time  ; but  at  the  end  of  it 
shall  speak  and  not  lie  : though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it ; because  it 
will  surely  come,  it  will  not  tarry.” 


APPENDIX. 


TWENTY-FOURTH  ANNIVERSARY 

OF  THE 

'IVincvican  Sodctn 

FOR 

MELIORATING  THE  CONDITION  OF  THE  JEWS. 


The  Twenty-fourth  Anniversary  of  the  American  Society  for  Me- 
liorating the  Condition  of  the  Jews,  was  held  in  the  Central  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  Broome-strect,  on  Thursday  evening.  May  13th. 
Rev.  Dr.  De  Witt,  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  of  the  Society,  in 
the  chair. 

After  prayer  by  the  Chaii-man,  and  the  singing  of  an  anthem  by 
the  choir,  the  usual  abstracts  of  the  Treasurer’s  and  of  the  Annual 
Reports  were  read  by  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  Rev.  Joidf 
Little. 

The  Rev.  E.  W.  Andrews,  of  Troy,  New  York,  then  rose  to  of- 
fer the  foUoAving  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  Annual  Report,  an  abstract  of  which  has  now  been  read,  be 
adopted,  and  that  it  be  published  and  circulated  under  the  direction  of  the  Board. 

I move  the  adoption  of  thi.s  resolution,  Air.  President,  because  I 
thhik  the  Report  is  happily  adapted  to  awaken  a new  mterest  in  the 
minds  of  Christians  on  the  great  and  solemn  work  which  it  contem- 
plates. I say  the  great  work  which  it  contemplates.  Some,  per- 
haps, will  deem  this  a misnomer — for  1 am  aware  that,  to  the  pop- 
ular view,  our  enterprise  is  almost  lost  in  the  shadows  which  other, 
and  so-called  mightier  movements  of  the  age,  cast  upon  it ; but,  re- 
garded in  the  hght  of  inspii'ation,  I must  thuik  of  it,  and  be  permit- 
ted to  speak  of  it,  as  a great  and  solemn  work,  second,  in  the  real 
benevolence  of  its  nature,  the  importance  and  grandeur  of  its  ulti- 
mate purpose,  and  the  richness  of  its  promise  to  a dying  world,  to 
no  other  enterprise  that  can  awaken  the  sympathies,  enlist  the  ef- 
forts, and  draw  forth  the  prayers  to  heaven  of  the  people  of  God ; 


n 


nnd  I can  most  heartily  respond  to  the  language  of  the  eloquent 
^ryng — “ There  is  not  a Christian  enterprise  of  the  day  ■\Yhich  so 
deeply  interests  my  heart,  as  this.” 

The  Jews,  independent  of  the  ten  tribes,  are  now  thought  to  num- 
ber from  eight  to  ten  millions  of  souls.  If,  therefore,  we  estimate 
them  numerically,  few  nations,  to  whiclj  missionary  efforts  are  di- 
rected, will  be  found  to  have  a stronger  claim  on  the  sympathies  cf 
the  Christian  Church.  The  great  mass  of  these  millions  are  walk- 
ing in  darkness,  tar  removed  from  the  light  of  Chx-istian  truth  ; and 
unless  speedy  efforts  are  made  for  their  convereion,  must  eternally 
perish. ' As  men,  our  brethren  in  the  bonds  of  a common  humanity 
and  common  redemption,  the  heirs  of  immortahty,  destined,  after  a 
few  circling  years,  to  stand  with  us  before  the  judgment-seat  of 
Christ,  their  future  destiny  is  to  us  a subject  cf  the  deepest  mterest, 
and  the  most  solemn  moment.  And  why,  Mr.  President,  should 
this  people  be  the  objects  of  neglect,  to  the  degree  they  have  been  ? 
Why  should  we  not  labor  as  earnestly,  as  devotedly,  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  Jew  as  of  the  Gentile  ? Why  confine  our  efforts  to  one 
portion  of  our  race,  and  allow  another,  brought  by  God,  in  his  prov- 
idence, so  directly  within  our  influence,  to  go  doum  to  death  with- 
out a note  of  warning,  or  an  invitation  of  mercy  ? To  my  own  mind. 
Sir,  the  thought  is  melancholy,  that  Christians  have  so  generally 
departed  from  the  plan  of  God  and  the  exainple  of  the  apostles,  in 
preaching  the  gospel  to  a dying  world.  That  plan  and  that  exam- 
ple both  point  “ to  the  JeAv  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek,”  as  the  or- 
der of  procedure,  in  fulfilling  the  great  commission  of  our  Master. 
But,  until  lately,  it  will  not  be  denied,  Christians  have  not  only  em- 
ployed no  direct  means  to  bring  Israel  to  the  faith  of  Christ,  but 
have  passed  them  by  in  utter  scorn,  and,  by  cruel  wrongs,  by  per- 
secution and  oppression,  have  made  stronger  and  heavier  the  chains 
which  prejudice  had  fastened  upon  their  minds.  And  even  now, 
after  the  deep  slumbers  of  ages  are  in  some  measure  broken,  and 
Christians  are  awaking  to  some  concern  for  the  advancement  of  tho 
kingdom  of  our  Lord  in  the  earth,  it  is  to  the  Gentile  nations,  that 
first,  and  almost  exclusively,  they  are  directing  their  attention  and 
efforts.  The  people  whom  our  Lord  and  his  apostles  first  address- 
ed, have  scarcely  a place  in  our  benevolent  regards.  I verily  be- 
lieve, Sir,  the  Church  is  guilty  in  this  thing,  and  I rejoice.  Sir,  in 
any  signs  of  repentance  discoverable  among  any  of  the  ranks  of  her 
members,  iiv  our  own  or  foreign  lands. 

But,  Sir,  besides  the  importance  that  is  to  be  attached  to  the 
conversion  of  the  Jews,  regarded  as  individuals,  there  is  a new,  and 
if  possible,  higher  importance  added  to  it,  if  wo  regard  them  as  a 
nation.  No  truth,  to  the  mind  of  the  faithful  student  of  tho  pro- 
phetic Word  of  God,  is  more  clearly  revealed  than  this — that  the 
restoration  and  conversion  to  Christianity  of  this  wonderful  people, 


?3 


will  be  cotcmporaneou3  with  the  gathering-in  of  the  fulness  of  the 
Gentile  nations.  With  the  return  of  their  national  happiness  ami 
glory  under  Christ,  then  to  be  acknowledged  as  their  tavior  King, 
is  inseparably  connected  the  triumph,  and  happiness,  and  glory  of 
the  Christian  Church.  In  what  order,  precisely,  these  events  are 
to  follow  each  other,  and  just  what  are  to  be  their  relations  of  de- 
pendence, it  perhaps  would  be  presumptuous  for  us  to  say.  But 
this  Avc  do  know',  that  God,  in  his  infinite  wisdom,  has  so  interwo- 
ven the  destinies  of  the  Gentile  race  with  the  fortunes  of  tho  Joav- 
ish  nation,  that  so  long  as  the  latter  remains  in  a state  of  wander- 
ing and  dispersion,  and  in  the  rejection  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  our 
world  Avill  continue  the  abode  of  sin,  and  under  the  dominion  of  Sa- 
tan. Sir,  the  Jewish  nation  is  the  centre  of  all  true  history.  Upon 
its  fate,  in  an  important  sense,  hangs  suspended  the  late  of  all  na- 
tions. Tho  time  comes,  when  “ the  nation  and  kingdom  that  will 
not  serve  this  people,  shall  perish  ; yea,  those  nations  shall  bo  ut- 
terly Avasted.”  If  Avo  turn  to  the  Ave  find  that  to  no  people 
has  it  been  given  to  perform  so  important  a part  in  the  execution  of 
the  divine  purposes  concerning  our  Avorld,  as  to  tliem  : that  no  na- 
tion, in  its  career,  has  made  so  deep  an  impression  on  the  mind  of 
the  Avorld  wo  inhabit.  To  the  historian,  the  statesman,  and  the 
philosopher,  the  history  of  this  people  presents  a most  interesting 
and  fruitful  study,  aiAtl  their  future  destiny  offers  a most  important 
problem.  It  is  not  extraA'agant  to  say,  that  no  race  has  exerted 
half  so  powerful  an  influence  in  moulding  the  character  of  our  race, 
as  this  helpless,  weak,  and  wandering  people.  Upon  almost  every 
feature  of  our  social  and  political  institutions,  their  influence  is  dis- 
tinctly Ansiblo.  The  spirit  of  the  great  IlebrCAv  legislator  pervades 
all  our  sj'stems  of  goveraments  and  our  codes  of  laAvs  ; and  the 
gems  of  everything  truly  excellent  and  noble  in  our  social  organi- 
zations ma}"  be  found  in  his  idea  of  the  IlebreAv  commouAvealth. — 
Upon  our  literature,  also,  the  JcAvish  mind  has  stamped  its  indelible 
impress.  After  the  lapse  of  tAventy  centuries,  with  all  the  accumu- 
lated Avisdom  of  ages,  and  all  the  boasted  efforts  of  the  enlightened 
mind  of  modern  civilization,  we  still  turn  back  to  those  rude  tribes, 
dwelling  on  the  hills  and  in  the  valleys  of  Palestine,  for  our  richest 
lessons  of  Avisdom,  and  our  highest  models  in  oratory  and  song. — 
True,  the  strains  of  many  harps,  in  these  latter  days,  sanctified  by 
the  Spirit  of  God,  are  sweet  and  melodious,  and  w'e  listen  to  them 
refreshed ; but  before  the  heavenly  breathings  of  the  harp  of  Israel’s 
honored  king,  they  are  silent ; and  in  the  presence  of  David’s  wise 
successor,  and  before  the  rapt  Isaiah,  and  the  inspired  Paul,  tho 
the  teachings  of  modem  philosophy,  and  the  utterances  of  modern 
genius,  and  the  tones  of  modem  eloquence,  cease  to  be  heard.  In 
short,  Sir,  in  whatever  direction  we  turn,  we  everywhere  see  tho 
traces  of  their  influence  and  power,  if  not  manifested  in  crumbling 


24 


pyramidd  and  moss-grown  ruins,  engraven  on  the  heart  of  man, 
written  on  the  face  of  civilized  society,  and  daily  becoming  more 
and  more  visible  in  shaping  the  destinies  of  the  world. 

But,  Sir,  if  to  the  historian,  the  scholar,  the  statesman,  this  peo- 
ple are  a subject  of  such  importance  and  interest,  what  must  they 
be  to  the  Christian — to  him  who,  sustained  by  faith,  waits  to  see 
the  full  revelation  of  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of  God  ? Around 
their  history,  in  Ids  mind,  cluster  a thousand  associations,  tender, 
sacred  and  sublime,  beyond  the  power  of  language  to  utter.  The 
great  events  of  that  history  are  mingled  in  the  recollections  of  his  ten- 
derest  years.  The  names  of  its  heroes,  judges,  kings — its  poets  and 
prophets,  are  to  him  as  household  words.  He  remembers  them  as 
the  chosen  people  of  God,  selected  from  amongst  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  to  be  the  depository  of  his  truth,  the  arm  of  his  power, 
and  the  abode  of  his  glory.  He  beholds  the  Almighty  for  many  a- 
ges,  exercising  over  them  a peculiar  care,  manifesting  himself  to 
them  by  the  most  wonderful  exhibitions  of  his  power,  and  even  con- 
descending to  speak  with  them  face  to  face.  Isow  inflicting  pun- 
ishment for  their  sins  by  some  terrible  example  of  his  justice,  and 
now  winning  them  to  submission  by  the  revelations  of  his  love.  And 
at  length,  when  the  last  scenes  of  the  old  dispensation  are  passing, 
and  their  mational  glory  is  fast  losing  itself  in  the  shadows  of  that 
long  night  which  is  still  upon  them,  it  is  as  a Jew  that  he  beholds 
the  Son  of  God  visiting  our  world,  and  restormg,  for  a few  years, 
in  his  own  person,  the  pristine  glory  of  man.  0,  Sir,  Judea,  Ju- 
dea, it  is  indeed,  to  the  Christian,  a land  of  “ hallowed  memories,*’ 
invested  with  a sacred  splendor,  compared  Avith  wliich,  the  splendor 
of  the  mightiest  monarchies  and  republics  of  antiquity  waxes  faint 
and  dim.  We  may  gaze  Avith  intense,  high-wrought  emotions,  up- 
on the  battle-fields  moistened  by  the  blood  of  freemen ; but  Avith  far 
different  feelings  do  Ave  gaze  on  the  hill  of  Calvary,  wet  with  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  We  may  wander  amid  the  rivers  of  classic 
lands  with  all  the  lively  interest  and  pleasurable  emotions  of  the 
scholar ; but  Avith  far  ^flerent  sentiments  stirring  our  hearts  and 
SAVclling  our  bosoms,  do  we  stand  on  the  heights  of  Zion,  Avhere  ar 
rose  in  beauty  and  strength  the  temple  of  God,  and  Avhere  the  splen- 
dor of  the  Bhekinah  revealed  to  human  vieAV  the  glories  of  the  pres- 
ent diAanity.  It  is  a land  honored  and  blessed  in  the  recollections 
of  the  past,  nor  to  be  less  blessed  in  the  gloi'ies  of  the  future — con- 
secrated, ennobled,  as  the  place  of  the  lledeemcr’s  birth,  and  liis 
grave  ; but  to  be  more  glorious,  as  the  place  of  his  rejoicing  and  the 
scene  of  his  eternal  triumphs. 

We  s.ay,  then.  Sir,  from  the  part  the  Jewish  nation  hasalreatly 
played  in  human  affairs,  avc  might  reasonably,  and  Avithout  the  gui- 
dance of  Scriptiu-e,  conclude,  that  they  are  reserved  to  fill  some 
high  and  momentous  purpose.  Their  present  condition — their  na 


25 


tional  identity  in  their  long  dispersion,  is  a phenomenon  which  un- 
aided human  reason  is  utterly  unable  to  explain.  Yes,  Sir,  it  has 
been  well  said,  “ The  Jew  remains  a problem  which  infidelity  can 
never  solve.”  A nation,  now  in  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  centu- 
ry of  her  dispersion,  as  distinct  from  the  fluctuating  multitudes  of  the 
nations,  as  the  islands  are  from  the  surroundmg  oceans.  The  waves 
rise  and  fall,  rage,  and  subside  again  into  quietness  ; but  the  firm 
rooted  rocks  of  the  islands  remain  unmoved.  The  empires  of  the 
earth,  from  Nimrod  to  Napoleon,  like  the  waves  of  the  sea,  have 
chafed  each  their  little  hour  of  rage  against  the  rock  of  Judah,  and 
have  each  sunk  out  of  vision,  to  rise  no  more.  But  the  Jewish  na- 
tion, the  mountain  of  the  Lord’s  house,  based  on  a sure  foundation, 
has  stood,  and  now  stands,  and  will  stand,  established  in  the  top  of 
the  mountains,  that  all  the  earth  may  know,  and  consider,  and  un- 
derstand together,  that  the  power  of  the  Lord  hath  done  it,  and  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel  hath  created  it ; according  as  it  is  wTitten — 
“ Tliis  people  have  I formed  for  myself : they  shall  show  forth  my 
praise.”  But,  Sir,  we  are  not  left  here  to  inference  and  conjec- 
ture. In  the  light  which  prophecy  has  shed  over  the  future  pros- 
pects of  tills  nation,  all  becomes  clear  and  plain.  Their  national 
existence  is  never  to  cease.  “ Though  I make  a full  end  of  all  na- 
tions where  I scatter  thee,  I will  not  make  a full  end  of  thee.” — 
“ Ye  shall  not  be  reckoned  among  the  nations.”  They  are  to  be 
restored  to  the  land  of  their  fathers.  “ Behold  the  days  come, 
saith  the  Lord,  that  I will  perform  that  good  thing  which  I have 
promised,  unto  the  house  of  Israel,  and  to  the  house  of  Judah.  In 
those  days,  and  at  that  time,  will  I cause  the  Branch  of  Righteous- 
ness to  grow  up  unto  Darid,  and  he  shall  execute  judgment  and 
righteousness  in  the  earth.  In  those  days  shall  Judah  be  saved, 
and  Jerusalem  shall  dwell  safely  ; and  this  is  the  name  wherewith 
she  shall  be  called.  The  Lord  our  Righteousness.”  They  shall  be 
converted  to  the  faith  of  Christ.  “ I will  take  you  from  among  the 
heathen,  and  gather  you  out  of  aU  countries,  and  will  bring  you  in- 
to your  own  land  : then  will  I sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you,  and 
ye  shall  be  clean.  I will  pour  upon  the  house  of  David,  and  upon 
the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplication, 
and  they  shall  look  upon  me  whom  they  have  pierced,  and  they 
shall  mourn  for  Km  as  one  moumeth  for  an  only  son,  and  shall  be 
m bitterness  for  him,  as  one  that  is  in  bitterness  for  his  first-bom.” 
“ And  I will  remove  the  miquity  of  that  land  in  one  day.”  0,  Sir, 
what  scales  of  darkness  will  faU  from  their  eyes,  when  the  long-re- 
jected and  despised  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  to  them  as  them  own, 
their  trae,  their  ever-glorious  Messiah ! With  what  wonder  and 
rapture  wiU  they  gaze  on  the  divine  glories  beaming  from  his  per- 
son, and  making  radiant  the  whole  of  his  mysterious  work  of  grace 
and  love ! YThat  a blessed  reality  will  it  give  to  their  system  of 
4- 


types  and  sacrifices  ? Wliat  a beauty,  and  power,  and  coloring  of 
heavenly  grace,  to  their  wonderful  hi^ory  as  a nation  ! Then,  in- 
deed, the  harp  so  long  silent  and  unstrung,  or  waked  only  to  breathe 
forth  the  notes  of  lamentation  and  sorrow,  shall  be  attuned  to  the 
divine  melody  of  the  Eedeemer’s  praise — infidelity  give  place  to  a 
firing  faith,  and  “Holiness  unto  the  Lord,  be  inscribed  on  all  the 
worl^  of  his  hands.”  Then,  in  the  language  of  the  prophet,  “ They 
shall  be  all  righteous — they  shall  inherit  the  land  forever,  the 
branch  of  my  planting,  the  work  of  my  hands,  that  I may  be  glo- 
rified.” Thus  brought  within  the  fold  of  Christ,  they  shall  prove 
an  organ  of  spiritual  blessing  to  aU  the  nations  of  the  earth.  “For 
if  the  casting  away  of  them  be  the  reconciling  of  the  world,  what 
shall  the  receiving  of  them  be,  but  fife  from  the  dead?”  “ If  the 
fall  of  them  be  the  riches  of  the  world,  and  the  diminishing  of  them 
the  riches  of  the*  Gentiles,  how  much  more  their  fulness  ?”  “ Sal- 

vation is  of  the  .Jews.”  This  is  true  of  the  post ; and  in  regard  to 
the  Gentile  nations,  I believe  it  is  to  be  true  in  a stiU  larger  and 
more  glorious  sense,  in  the  future.  The  promise,  that  in  them  “ all 
the  families  of  the  earth  should  be  blessed,”  has  never  yet  been  ac- 
complished. The  blessings  they  have  conferred  up(^u  the  Gentiles, 
are  only  a partial  realization  of  this  rich  promise — a few  scattered 
rays,  merely,  of  that  unrivalled  glory  which  is  yet  to  be  concentra- 
ted in  them,  and  to  radiate  from  them,  on  the  length  and  breadth 
of  a dying  world.  “ Gentiles  shall  come  to  their  fight,  and  kings 
to  the  brightness  of  their  rising.”  “ Men,  out  of  all  languages  of 
the  nations,  shall  take  hold  of  the  skirts  of  him  that  is  a Jew,  say- 
ing, We  will  go  with  you,  for  we  have  heard  that  God  is  with  you.” 
Then  shall  be  ushered  in  a new  and  bright  era  in  the  reli^ous  his- 
tory of  the  Gentile  race.  Under  the  visible  headship  of  their  glori- 
ous King,  these  restored  exiles  will  lx;  found  “ as  a dew  scattered 
over  all  the  earth,”  and,  in  their  influenoe  upon  the  world,  will 
prove  as  “ fife  from  the  dead.”  Then,  and  not  till  then,  will  the 
cherished  hopes  of  the  people  of  God  be  realized,  in  the  conversion 
of  the  earth  to  Christ ; and  the  good  seed  which,  amidst  the  storms 
and  darkness  of  a wintery  night,  has  been  scattered  over  the  nations, 
spiing  up  to  its  rich  and  abundant  harvest. 

Mr.  President,  for  the  salvation  of  a people  honored  by  such  a 
Past,  and  authorized  by  the  Spirit  of  eternal  tnith  to  anticipate 
such  a Future,  it  is  good,  it  is  honorable,  it  is  blessed,  to  labor. — 
Let  us,  then,  go  forward,  strong  in  the  righteousness  and  greatness 
of  our  work, ’'and  believing  that  “ the  set  time  to  favor  Zion”  draws 
near. 

Rev.  !Mr.  Harkxes.<,  Mnlttiawnn,  Nm  York. — Mr.  President,  I 
owe  you,  this  audience,  and  myself,  an  apology  for  my  appearance 
before  you  at  this  time.  I had  not  the  remotest  idea  of  such  a 


fl 


thing,  until,  as  I was  coming  in  at  the  door  this  evening,  the  fol- 
lo'wiiig  resolution  was  put  into  my  hands  : 

Resolved,  That  tlic  great  aim  of  this  Society  is  to  declare  the  gospel  of  the  grace 
of  God  to  the  long-neglected  children  of  Abraham  ; and  that  our  sole  reliance  for 
suecees  in  tliis  work  is  on  the  promise*!  inllueuces  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  is  able 
even  to  subdue  all  tliiugs  uuto  Clirist. 

Fortunately,  this  resolution  requires  no  argument  from  me,  in  its 
support.  It  speaks  of  the  Jews  as  having  been  “long  neglected 
and  who  does  not  know  tliis  to  be  the  fact  ? — long  and  utterly  neg- 
lected. Trace  them  whore  you  may,  you  find  them  everywhere  a 
neglected  people.  Sometliing  is  done  to  carry  the  gospel  to  all  oth- 
er famibes  of  our  fallen  race,  wliile  we  have  only  neglected,  where 
ivc  have  not  persecuted,  those  from  whom  we  received  that  gospel. 
Yes,  even  in  the  Christian  Church,  what  sympathy  has  been  shown 
for  the  Jew  ? Oh,  her  charities  have  been  few — her  love  cold,  and 
when  she  had  uttered  an  occasional  bi-icf  petition  for  the  in-gaiher- 
iug  of  Israel  with  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles,  she  felt  that  her  re- 
sponsibilities in  this  department  were  discharged,  and  her  labors 
ended.  To  tliis  day  they  are  a neglected  people. 

The  gi’eat  aim  of  this  Society  is — the  first  aim  of  the  Church 
should  be — to  go  and  tell  these  Jews,  to  whom  the  covenant  and 
the  promises  belong,  that  Shiloh  has  come,  and  that  he  is  coming 
again.  Yes,  the  Jew  thinks  we  tell  him  that  all  the  promises  con- 
nected witli  Messiah  have  already  been  fulfilled  in  Jesus  of  Nazar 
reth,  and  tliis  he  cannot  believe.  He  expects  a victoiious  Prince  : 
point  liim  to  the  I\Ian  of  Sorrow.  Put  tell  him  that  he  who  came 
in  sorrow,  as  the  sufieriug  Lamb  of  God,  will  come  again  in  glory 
and  majesty,  as  the  Lion  of  the  Tribe  of  Judah,  and  that  Jew  and 
Gentile  wiU  then  bow  themselves  doiiTi  before  him,  and  by  thus  con- 
ceding to  the  Jew  the  appropriate  design  of  the  second  advent,  you 
will  be  more  likely  to  succeed  in  persuading  him  of  the  suitableness 
and  necessity  of  the  first.  It  is  well  that  your  great  aim  is  to  de- 
clai-e  the  gospel  of  tlie  grace  of  God  to  Israel.  The  67th  Psalm  is 
sufficient  to  show,  that  Israel  is  to  be  the  grand  instrument  in  de- 
claring it  efficiently  to  the  nations. 

Your  success  in  the  work  I cannot  doubt,  when  I see  that  your 
sole  reliance  for  success  is  on  the  promised  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  That  blessed  Spirit,,  speaking  by  prophets  and  apostles,  has 
has  abxmdautly  testified  bis  sympathy  with  your  efibrts.  “ Arise, 
shine ; for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  up- 
on thee.  For,  behold,  the  darkness  sh^  cover  the  earth,  and 
gross  darkness  the  people : but  the  Lord  shall  arise  upon  thee,  and 
his  glory  shall  be  seen  upon  thee.  And  the  Gentiles  shall  come  to 
thy  light,  and  kings  to  the  brightness  of  thy  rising.” — Isaiah  lx. 
1-2.  “ Behold,  at  that  time  I will  undo  all  that  afflict  thee  ; and 
I will  save  her  that  healeth,  and  gather  her  that  was  driven  out ; 
and  I wfll  get  them  praise  and  fame  in  every  land  where  they  have 


r28 


been  put  to  shame.” — Zeph.  iii.  19.  “ Neither  shall  they  defile 

themselves  any  more  Tvith  their  idols,  nor  with  their  detestable  things, 
nor  with  any  of  their  transgressions  : but  I will  save  them  out  of 
all  their  dwelling-places  wherein  they  have  sinned,  and  will  cleanse 
them  : so  shall  they  be  my  people,  and  I will  be  their  God.  And 
David  my  servant  shall  be  king  over  them.” — Ezek.  xxxvii.  23, 24. 
“ And  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  reign  in  mount  Zion,  and  in  Jerusa 
lem,  and  before  his  ancients,  gloriously.” — Isaiah  xxiv.  23.  In  like 
manner  the  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles  tells  us  tha  t the  natural  branch- 
es were  cut  off  only  for  a season,  jand  for  a specific  purpose,  and, 
when  that  is  accomplished,  they'shall  be  “ graffed  in  again.”  “ A 
nation  shall  then  be  bom  in  a day” — who  doubts  that  that  nation 
is  Israel  ? “ And_^the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come 
to  Zion  ■with  songs,  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads : they  shall 
obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away.” — 
Isaiah  xxxv.  10.  God  will  be  tme  to  his  promises. 

The  Kov.  John  H.  Bernheim,  one  of  the  Society’s  IMissiona- 
ries,  offered  the  next  resolution,  'viz  : 

Resolved,  Tliat  the  present  remai-kable  agitation  in  the  Jewish  mind,  and  the 
spreading  spirit  of  rebellion  against  Rabbinical  bondage,  furnish  a strong  motive 
for  greatly  enlarged  efforts  to  save  this  ancient  and  interesting  race  from  tlie  depths 
of  Rationalism  and  Infidelity. 

The  present  religious  condition  of  the  Jews,  said  Mr.  Bernheim, 
in  Europe,  as  well  as  in  this  country,  belongs  to  the  remarkable  ap- 
pearances of  our  age.  Till  lately,  the  Jews  formed,  not  only 
their  statutes,  customs  and  laws,  but  also  through  their  relation 
with  their  neighbors,  an  entirely  separate  community  ; and  altho’ 
some  of  them  had  gained  great  riches,  yet  not  the  general  respect 
of  the  people.  The  last  Jewish  generation  perceived  tho  chasm 
which  separated  them  from  the  moral  element  of  Christianity,  and 
believed  that  a reform  of  their  condition  only  could  fill  it  up.  And 
thus  began,  consciously  and  unconsciously,  the  intellectual  fermen- 
tation within  Judaism.  They  began  to  lay  aside  old  customs  and 
ceremonies,  and  accommodate  themselves  to  the  ways  and  customs 
of  the  Christians  among  whom  they  lived,  without  giving  up  entire- 
ly the  source  of  their  contempt,  the  Rabbinical  statutes.  The  re- 
sult was,  that  the  Jew’s  remained  Jews  still,  and  their  condition  still 
comfortable.  And  now  the  very  name  “ becomes  irksome — 
they  substitute  the  name  ‘‘’•Israelites.^’  But  still  the  Jew  remained 
a Jew — only,  in  place  of  being  in  collision  witli  Christianity  alone, 
he  came  into  conflict  with  Judaism  also,  and  his  condition  became 
more  and  more  entangled. 

There  were  but  two  ways  of  escape — either  to  turn  to  orthodox 
Judaism,  or,  to  embrace  Christianity.  The  first  was  a burden  to 
them  which  they  were  unwilling  to  bear:  and,  as  for  tho  second, 
although  many  embraced  Christianity,  yet  the  greater  part  could 


pot  encounter  and  overcome  tho  obstacles  which  are  generally  in 
the  way  of  proselytes.  A change  from  Judaism  to  Christianity  ef- 
fects the  dissolution  of  fixmily  connections  w'hich  even  nature  has 
sanctified.  Whoever  knows  the  power  of  habit,  and  tho  iuefifacca- 
ble  impression  mado’^on  youth  under  parental  training,  can  easily 
conceive  what  conflict  every  proselyte  has  to  endure — a conflict 
which  would  surely  last^foreAer,  if  the  Prince  of  Peace  did  not  be- 
stow upon  them  that  peace  which  the  world  cannot  give. 

Again,  there  are  some  difficulties  in  the  way  of  the  proselyte 
from  the  side  of  tho  Christians.  Every  convert  is  treated  by  the 
Christians  with  distrust,  their  candid  design  doubted — they  may  ba 
carnal — their  intention  selfish,  kc. 

Expelled  from  tlieir  father’s  house,  persecuted  by  their  brethren, 
distrusted  by  tho  Christians,  and  despised  by  the  cliildrcn  of  the 
world,  they  looked  out  for  some  other  way  to  escape  these  evils. 
At  first  they  became  indifferent  to  religion  in  general ; then,  disbe- 
lieving the  Bible  and  reading  the  works  of  infidels  and  rationalists, 
they  imbibed  their  sentiments,  and  as  they  found,  even  among  Chris- 
tian divines  and  professors,  those  who  cried,  with  the  Jews  of  old, 
“ away  with  tliis  man  !”  they  united  with  them,  and  cried,  even 
louder  than  these,  “Away,  away  wth  the  old  and  the  new ; we 
we  believe  notliing  but  what  reason  teaches  us  to  believe.”  And 
such  is  now  the  creed  of  their  reformers,  and  of  the  majority  of 
Jews. 

One  violent  schism  after  another  has  sundered  thoir  communi- 
ties ; the  rituals  of  their  synagogues  are  changed  ; the  Talmud  is 
a fable  ; the  Word  of  God  nothing  more  ; circumcision  an  oriental 
custom,  and  Jerusalum  an  ancient  ruin,  of  which  nothing  is  to  be 
expected. 

Well  enough  could  some  of  them  unite  with  Ronge,  and  receive 
baptism ; his  creed  is  theii’S,  and  theirs  his ; Jesus  the  reformer 
they  confess,  but  he  came  2000  years  too  soon  ; his  generation 
could  not  understand  him,  and  he  became  a second  Socrates. 
What  arc  the  Jews  now  ? Their  own  confession  is : We  are  neither 
Jews  or  Christians,  we  do  not  keep  the  law,  neither  do  we  believe 
Christianity ; we  believe  nothing.  Behold,  in  the  people  of  the 
covenant,  a nation  without  religion ! They  have  separated  from  the 
Old  Testament,  without  receiving  the  New.  They  renounce  all  pos- 
itive belief,  and  every  historical  basis.  They  set  aside  the  book  of 
revelation  of  the  living  God,  as  well  as  the  Talmud,  and  they  be- 
lieve that  in  this  consists  their  complete  redemption  from  misery, 
and  the  salvation  of  Zion. 

We  are  sorry  to  make  such  statements,  and  we  could  shed  tears 
of  blood  over  the  abberration  of  our  brethren,  who  give  up  and  cast 
away  their  old  inheritance,  the  law  and  the  prophets,  and  refuse  the 
grace  in  Jesus  Christ,  their  Messiah. 


20 


The  appearance  of  Christianity  ^yas  the  tnie  reform  of  Judaism 
for  the  whole  human  family — and  why  should  it  not  be  for  the  Jews 
now?  We  are  firmly  convinced,  that  from  no  other  quarter  can 
deliverance  come  to  Israel. 

Shall  we,  then,  as  Christians,  leave  the  Jews  in  their  miserable 
condition,  without  making  an  effort  to  relieve  them,  when  we  arc  con- 
vinced that  nothing  else  can,  or  will,  save  them,  except  the  gospel  ? 
Shall  we  leave  them  to  perish  in  their  infidelity  and  sin  ? Did 
Christ  not  command,  “ Go  and  teach  all  nations?”  Did  not  this 
make  it  the  duty  of  the  primitive  Christians,  even  under  much  per- 
secution, to  proclaim  to  the  Jews  the  glad  tidings  of  a redeemer; 
and  should  we,  who  have  nothing  to  fear,  neglect  this  important  du- 

You  know  their  bitterness  and  enmity  against  Christianity ; you 
are  acquainted  with  the  fact  that  some  of  the  most  eminent  fa- 
thers of  relationship  and  fidelity,  were  Jews — (Philo,  Spinoza  and 
Mendelsohn.)  If  this  poison  -would  remain  within  the  walls  of  the 
synagogues,  it  -would  be  sufiiicient  reason  to  labor  -with  all  might  to 
save  this  ancient  and  interesting  race ; but,  Avith  shameless  face  and 
reckless  hand,  they  spread  it  through  states  and  coimtries.  In  Eu- 
rope they  have  the  press  in  their  hand,  and  publicly  blaspheme  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  An  eminhnt  divine,  (Mr.  Bellson)  in  Berlin, 
Prussia,  Avrites : “ The  JcAvigh  leaders  of  public  O|iuion  domineer 
over  us,  more  than  the  Jesuiis  have  ever  done,  and  in  such  a de- 
gree, that  Avc,  to  make  this  statement,  had  to  create  a ncAv  organ, 
as  Ave  hardly  can  find  one  in  all  Prussia.” 

The  gospel  must  be  preached  to  the  J ews ; enlarged  efforts 
must  be  made  to  save  them  ; the  law  must  still  become  their  school- 
master to  h'ring  them  to  Christ ; they  must  be  led  to  see  the  folly 
and  wickedness  of  modern  Judaism,  and  retui'ii  to  the  Lord. 

T’hink  of  their  deplorable  condition  ; think  Avhat  responsibility 
rests  ujwn  you,  if  you  let  ihem  starve  a spiritual  death,  Avhilst  the 
means  arc  in  your  hands  to  saA’c  them;  think  v.liat  you  haA'e  re- 
ceived throng  them — :ncrcy.  “ Even  so  have  these  also  noAv  not 
believed,  that  through  your  mercy  they  also  may-  obtain  mercy.” 
If  one  spark  of  gratitude  is  left  in  your  bosom,  it  must  biu  n Avith 
sympathy  and  commiseration,  to  save  this  interesting  race  from  c- 
ternal  ruin. 

To  human  poAver  it  is  indeed  impossiWe  ; only'  faith  in  the  prom- 
ises, that  the  Son  of  God  Avill  lead  them  to  eternal  glory  and  hap- 
piness, can  redeem  Israel  from  all  misery.  'I'hc  power  of  this  be- 
lief, as  Avell  as  the  conviction  that  he  alone  can  malce  them  happy 
and  free,  be  tlie  AvatchAvord  and  strength  ot  your  Society'. 

But  “ hoAv  shall  they  believe  in  him  of  Avhom  Uioy  have  not  hcai’d  ? 
and  hoAv  shall  they  hear  without  a preacher  ? and  how  sliall  they 
preach,  except  they  be  sent  ?”  “ ShoAv  your  faith  by  your  works.” 


“Now  is  the  Jay  of  Grace — now  the  day  of  salvation.”  Now  is 
the  time  to  labour  amonj;  the  covenant  people — now  they  mast  learn 
to  see  their  lost  condition — now  they  arc  in  a state  of  mind  to  li.st- 
en  to  the  trutlis  of  Christianity — now,  or  never  ! Go  to  work,  re- 
lying on  the  prruni-sesof  the  eternal  Jehovah — defy  the  scorn  of  the 
(ievil  and  his  emissaries — let  your  light  shine,  and  you  will  gain 
fnends,  even  those  who  arc  now  opposed  to  your  Society  and  op- 
erations. Send  missionaries  to  our  ports  and  cities  filled  with  Jews, 
in  which,  in  some  measure,  your  missionaries  have  gained  already 
access,  and  broken  doA\'n’  toe  wall  of  partition.  Let  them  preach 
Christ,  the  atonement  for  our  sins,  hohling  forth  the  tnith  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus  ; proving,  by  Closes  and  the  Prophets,  that  he  is  the 
promised  seed,  to  bimise  the  serpent’s  head — convincing,  by  history, 
that  Christianity  is  the  only  religion  which  makes  the  nations  happy, 
and  secures  their  welfare — helping  those  imiuirers  who  ask,  “ what 
must  we  do  ?”  and  strengthening  those  who  have  confessed  the 
Lord,  which  is  as  necessary  as  it  was  to  convince  them  of  Christ. 
“ For  tliis” — saith  the  celebrated  Dr.  Tholuck — “ for  this  is  the  rea- 
son, tlic  great  reason,  wliich  must  hinder  the  efficacy  of  all  our  mis- 
sionary actlvdty  among  the  Jews  ; that  in  the  Church  there  is  not 
that  community  of  feeling  and  brotherly  love  udth  which  these  new 
conVerts  should  be  welcomed  and  encircled,  so  that  the  tender  plant 
may  grow  into  a vigorous  tree.  AVc  sow  the  seed,  but  when  it  be- 
gins to  grow,  there  is  none  that  watereth  ; we  water,  but  there  is 
none,  in  ease  of  a stonu,  that  would  bind  fast  the  young,  wavering 
tree.  AYlio  should  believe  it,  that  converted  Israelites  in  the  midst 
of  Christians  find  less  supporting  and  nourisliing  care  than  those  a- 
mong  the  heathen  ? Among  the  heathen,  the  missionaries  gather 
around  them  their  little  flock,  that  they  may  cherish  and  nurse 
them  till  they  have  become  strong  in  faith  and  in  the  Lord ; whilst 
here  among  Chiistians,  the  new  converts  are  pushed  into  the  world, 
after  they  have  received  baptism,  and  left  to  their  fate,  if  they 
might,  by  chance,  find  one  true  among  the  thousands  of  nominal 
Christians,  who  really  takes  an  interest  in  their  spiritual  welfare. 

Therefore,  before  we  complain  about  the  deceits  and  hardness 
of  heart  of  tlie  carnal  Israel,  let  the  sjnritual  Israel  accuse  us 
that  we  are  wanting  of  the  salt  of  brotherly  love.  Provide  for 
those  who  forsake  all  and  follow  Jesus,  and  I assure  you  your  labor 
shall  not  be  in  vain.  The  time  is  fast  approaching  when  all  “ the 
kingdoms  of  this  world  will  become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord.” 
Let  the  Jews  have  the  gospel,  and  you  will  see  that  “salvation  is 
of  the  Jews “ the  receiving  of  them'wiU  be  as  life  from  the  dead.” 
Infidelity  will  then  be  an  impossibility  ; for  thus  saith  the  Lord : 
“ They  shall  all  know  me,  from  the  least  of  them  to  the  greatest  of 
them ; neither  shall  they  defile  themselves  any  more ; and  living 
water  shall  go  out  of  Jerusalem.” 


3^ 


Friends  of  Christ  and  Israel ! help  to  speed  this  glorious  time, 
and,  whilst  you  give  blessings  to  others,  yourselves  Trill  be  blessed. 

And  to  you,  my  brethren,  I say : Believe  in  him  whom  your  fa- 
thers crucified,  and  ye  shall  be  saved. 

Kev.  Dr.  Bond,  New  York,  offered  the  last  resolution. 

Resolved,  That  this  Society  renews  its  earnest  appeal  to  all  the  churches  of  Christ 
in  this  land,  for  a more  general  and  hearty  co-operation  in  prayer  and  effort,  in  be- 
half of  this  cause  of  Israel,  and  the  world. 

I have  listened  to  these  addresses  with  attention,  with  delight, 
and  I trust  with  some  measure  of  edification ; and  it  has  happened 
just  as  I expected.  I came  wholly  unfurnised  Tvith  material  for  a 
speech,  and,  therefore,  requested  to  be  put  last ; and  now,  sure  e- 
nougii,  the  whole  ground  has  been  gone  over. 

Those  who  have  preceded  me  have  made  me  regret  that  I am  an 
old  man — a feehng  that  I am  not  sure  that  I ever  had  before.  But 
really  I see  growing  up  around  me  so  many  noble  institutions — so  be- 
nevolent— so  full  of  the  spirit  of  the  gospel — that  I do  regret  that 
I shall  pass  away  soon — so  soon.  I must  confess.  Sir  that  this  par- 
ticular effort  I have  not  estimated  as  I ought  to  have  done.  I say 
that  I have  never  before  appreciated  it  as  I have  been  taught  to  do 
by  the  previous  speakers.  And  now  I start  up,  and  ask  myself. 
Why  have  we  neglected  the  Jew  ? I recollect  that  the  command 
was  to  “ begin  at  Jerusalem,"  the  secne  of  the  crucifixion ; and 
those  who  were  sent,  so  far  from  neglecting  the  Jew,  and  withold- 
ing the  gospel  from  him,  almost  forgot  that  any  body  else  was  to 
have  it.  In  aU  their  journeyings,  they  never  failed  to  repair  to  the 
synagogue  ; and  a special  revelation  was  needed,  before  Peter  would 
condescend  to  visit  Cornelius. 

How  comes  it,  then,  that  the  Christian  Chnrch,  so  soon  after  the 
apostles’  days,  began  to  neglect  the  Jew,  and  cut  him  off  from  their 
sympathies  ? Ah ! Sir,  here  is  the  thing  that  should  cover  us  with 
shame.  We  lost  not  only  the  zeal  of  the  first  missionaries,  but  their 
message  also.  Why,  Sir,  it  had  seemed  as  if  the  gospel  were  about 
to  take  the  uings  of  the  morning  and  sweep  all  roimd  the  globe. 
And  what  arrested  its  flight?  No  wonder  we  forgot  the  Jews. 
The  very  heathen  were  shut  up  from  us — scaled  up  hermetieally  a- 
gainst  Christianity — and  all  because  it  ceased  to  be  Christianity. 
IVTiat  gain  would  it  have  been  for  the  nations  to  have  cast  their  i- 
dols  to  the  moles  and  bats,  had  they  merely  substituted  the  idols  of 
Ilomanism  ? Surely,  it  was  a mercy  of  God,  to  circumscribe  tho 
dominion  of  such  a gospel ; and  how  great  a mercy,  that  he  left  us 
a little  remnant. 

But  then,  towards  the  beginning  of  the  16th  century,  it  pleased 
God  to  rcrive  His  work.  Then  we  should  have  expected,  tho  mes- 
sage being  restored,  the  Jew  would  have  been  thought  of  again. 
And  why  not  ? Sir,  we  Methodists  have  a way  of  talking  out  very 


33 


plainly.  The  fact  is,  wc  took  to  interpolating  too — disputing  about 
our  points,  our  five  points,  until  wo  got  to  point  no  point.  Was  it 
the  gospel  of  peace  that  we  carried  abroad  at  that  time  ? No,  Sir, 
hut  a sword.  Lately,  however,  in  London,  we  found  a new  plat- 
form on  which  wo  can  all  stand,  and  have  room  enough. 

The  resolution  speaks  of  “ effort.^’  And  what  has  any  man  in 
this  house  done  yet  in  this  cause  ? The  work  must  bo  done — and 
done  by  human  instrumentality.  God  works  no  miracles  to  do  what 
can  as  well  be  done  mthout  them.  It  raquired  a miracle  to  raise 
Lazarus,  but  he  came  forth  “ bound.”  Christ  did  not  work  anoth- 
er to  “ loose  him and  the  reason  was,  that  the  disciples  could  do 
that. 

There  is  one  advantage  in  being  an  old  man.  I have  learned 
sometliing  by  experience,  something  by  observation.  And,  among 
other  things,  I have  learned  to  have  very  little  regard  for  what  is 
called  pci-sonal  property.  But  tor  real  estate  I have  very  great 
regard.  There  is  something  solid,  substantial,  secure,  about  that. 
Only  let  us  be  sure  that  it  is  real  estate ; for  there  is  no  such  thing 
in  this  world.  “ Lay  up  your  treasure  in  heaven  where  neither 
moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  nor  thieves  break  through  nor  steal.” 
That  is  the  only  real  estate.  When  I have  thought  of  making  my 
will,  I have  found  that  I was  not  a bit  wiser  than  Solomon,  who 
could  not  tell  whether  the  man,  to  whom  he  should  leave  all,  would 
be  a wise  man  or  a fool.  But  I am  quite  sure  of  having  whatever 
I have  given  away  for  Christ — have  it,  yes,  a himdred  fold  in  the 
present  life,  and  in  the  world  to  come  fife  everlasting.  I think  I 
love  my  cluldren,  but  why  should  I give  them  every  thing,  and 
keep  nothing  to  myself?  I have  surely  a right  to  some  share — and 
one-third  would  not  be  too  great  a portion.  May  God  impress  this 
truth  upon  us  all,  and  give  us  to  feel  it,  and  act  accordingly. 

5 


34 

CLOSING  PART  OF  THE 

TWENTY-FOURTH  ANNUAL  REPORT. 


Resultc:. — The  Board  would  have  it  distinctly  understood,  that  it 
is  not  at  all  tlieir  design  or  their  wish  to  organize  separate  churches 
of  converted  Jews.  They  do  not  forgot  that  “ the  middle  wall  of 
partition”  has  been  “ broken  down  ” by  him  who  “ is  our  peace,  and 
hath  made  both  one.”  To  rebuild  it,  or  any  part  of  it,  is  not  their 
object.  The  single  and  sold  responsibility,  with  wliich  they  consid- 
er themselves  charged,  is  that  of  preaching  “ Christ  and  him  cruci- 
fied” to  Israel.  The  measure  of  increase  that  shall  reward  their 
patient  and  persevering  efibrts  the  leave  to  His  gracious  disposal, 
who  alone  giveth  “ seed  to  the  sovy’er,  or  bread  to  the  eater.”  ^Vnd 
as  to  the  particular  evangelical  domination,  with  which  any  convert 
shall  connect  himself,  that  is  a matter  in  wliich  the  Society  takes 
not  the  slightest  interest.  We  are  satisfied,  when  it  is  given  to  us 
to  see  “ the  lost  sheep  ” in  the  hands  of  the  “ Shepherd  of  Israel.” 

Besides,  it  is  very  obvious,  that  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases  it 
must  be  an  utterly  impracticable  thing,  to  trace  the  result  of  mis- 
sionary labour  among  so  shifting  and  misettled  a population,  as  that 
with  which  this  Society  has  to  deal.  Of  those,  however,  who  du- 
ring the  past  year  have  been  brought  mider  the  influence  of  our 
Missionaries,  either  in  the  Mission  House  or  in  their  out-door  la- 
boura,  at  least  six  are  known  who  have  been  received  into  the  com- 
munion of  the  Chuixh  of  Christ.  The  God  of  the  Covenant  re- 
mains ever  faithful,  and  in  our  day  also  has  a remnant  in  Israel. 

, But  another  result  ecpially  interesting,  and  one  full  of  blessed 
promise  both  to  Jew  and  Gentile,  is  the  extensive  reawakening  of 
the  sympathies  of  the  Church  itself  towards  these  long  wanderers 
from  the  household  of  faith.  Of  this  most  encouraging  fact  satis- 
factory evidence  is  afibrded  in  the  ecclesiastical  action,  friendly  to 
the  Society  and  its  object,  that  has  been  adopted  during  the  year 
by  many  of  the  leading  religious  bodies  of  our  country. 

CoNCLtJSlON. — We  thank  God  that  Zion  is  thus  coming  once 
more  into  mind,  and  that  God’s  servants  arc  beginning  to  “ take 
pleasure  in  her  stones,  and  favour  the  dust  tliercof.”  We  hail  this 
movement,  already  pervading  Christendom,  as  the  brightest  omen 
that  meets  the  eye  in  these  days  of  spiritual  languor  and  decay. 
Surely  it  betokens  the  near  approach  of  “ the  time — the  set  time  ” 
— when  God  himself  “ shall  arise  and  have  mercy  ujion  Zion,”  and 
the  mountain  of  the  Lord’s  house  being  established  in  the  top  of 
the  mountains  and  exalted  above  the  hills,  “ all  nations  shall  flow  into 
it.” 


3.3 

But  we  cannot  conceal  the  stren^tli  of  our  conviction,  that  the 
Church  has  hy  no  means  yet  attained  to  any  adequate  sense  of  the 

solemn,  ever  ir^ent,  hut  km-  neglected  « 

in  re-uir.1  to  this  once  mighty  ami  honored,  and 

irapenshahle  race.  On  the  glones  of  their  national  history,  so  tai 

tramscendin-,  in  all  the  elcmenti  of  an  interest  at  once  human  and 

divine,  the  most  illustrious  annals  of  any  mere  earthly  empire,  and 

on  die  nia  -nitude  of  the  <lebt  which  all  lands  owe  to  Israel,  as  God  s 

chosen  instrmuentality  of  blessing  to  our  faUen 

Jesit  is  unnecessary  here  to  dwell.  Enough,  that  they,  for  whom 

we  plead,  “ arc  Ismelitcs ; to  whom  pertimetli  the  adoption,  and 

the  glory  and  the  covenants,  and  the  givmg  of  die  law,  aiid  the 

service  of  God,  and  the  promises;  whose  are  the  fiithers,  and  of 

whom,  as  conceniing  the  flesh,  Christ  came,  w^o  is  over  all,  G^ 

blessed  forever.  “ Amen.”  And  now  when  the  matter  pnq^ed 

is  the  evangelization  of  such  a people,  what  object  is 

more  appropriately  engage,  or  may  be  exiiccte.1 

ward,  the  best  affecdons,  the  wisest  counsels,  and  most  zealous  ef 

forts,  of  all  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  would  hasten  the  Jor> 

'^^ms^esdon  becomes  yet  more  emphatic,  when  it  is  considered 
that  we  shall  look  in  vain  for  the  full  aoc^nphshment 
other  great  oljects,  on  ichich  the  IceaH  of  Prote^  thr^ 
ie  set,  so  long  as  Israel  remains  an  outcast  from 
much  has  been  spoken  lately  of  die  desirableness 
ion,  and  of  harmonious  co.operauon  among  those  who  are  already 
one  in  Christ  and  essentially  one  in  mth  and  in  the 
hi-h  calling.  But  when  is  it  that  the  jealoi^iea,  and  ^visions,  ^d 
ammosities  of  a distracted  and  disordered  Church  shall  disappear 
IVheii  sh.all  the  watchmen  lift  up  the  voice  ; wuth 
shaU  they  sing : for  they  shall  see  eye  to  eye  —and,  beholdin  in 
every  eye  the  Ught  of  mutual  love  and  of  a common  joy,  shaU  glad- 
ly forego  the  ancient  inquisition  after  motes  and  beams  . ^Is  it, 
when  all  the  nations  have  become  monarchies,  or  ^ 

when  aU  the  Chi-istians  have  become  Bapnsts  . or  all  Methodists  . 
or  all  Congregationalists?  or  all  Presbyterians  ? or  ^ Episcopdi- 
ans  ? Ko — no  ; it  is  “ when  the  Lord  shall  bring  again  Zion,  and 
the  gospel  herald,  no  longer  turning  Zion’s  glory  into  the  smoke  of 
mctoption>,  shall  “ say  unto  Zlo,.,  TSy  God  reignM. 
into  L,  mi J together,  ye  waeU  ylocee  of  .Jemmlem  . for  the  Lord 
hath  comforted  his  people.  He  hath  redeemed  J^usalem. 

Or,  is  it  sought  to  arrest  the  progress  of  a foul  and  cruel  super- 
stition, and  to  burst  the  spell  that  binds  the  nations  to  Rome. 
us  learn  a lesson  from  the  instincts  of  the  sorceress  herself--fr^c)m 
the  hatred  and  suspicious  dread,  with  which  she  has  ever  patched 
and  tyrannized  over  the  Jew,  and  pomt  the  eyes  of  men  to  that  ho- 


ly  hill,  whence  the  law  went  forth  in  former  days — (whether  or  not 
it  shall  yet  again  go  forth,  as  many  students  of  prophecy  believe 
that  it  shall) — even  the  word  of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem. 

And,  finally,  would  we  devise  some  more  efficient  methods  than 
have  hitherto  been  pursued,  for  the  discharge  of  that  great  com- 
mission entrusted  to  us  by  the  Savior  of  men,  now  gone  up  to  the 
right  hand  of  power — the  blessed  commission  of  preaching  His  gos- 
pel, and  making  known  His  saving  health  to  all  nations  ? Then,  if 
we  believe,  and  probably  no  one  will  call  the  truth  of  it  in  question, 
that  the  grand  final  result  of  all  missionary  labours  and  sacrifices, 
to  wit,  the  subjection  of  the  world  to  Christ,  will  not  be,  cannot  pos- 
sibly be,  by  any  amount  of  sacrifice  and  labour  whatsoever,  eficct- 
ed,  until  the  veil  is  rent  from  Israel’s  heart,  and  it  shall  turn  to  the 
Lord — if  we  believe,  and  who  will  deny,  that  this  conversion  of  Is- 
rael to  the  Lord  their  God,  and  David  their  king,  is  the  foreor- 
dained and  indispensable  preliminary  to  the  universal  triumph — 
surely  it  is  time  that  the  churches  of  Christ  should  act  in  this  whole 
matter,  as  if  they  did  believe  these  things. 

Many  other  considerations  might  be  adverted  to ; but  Ave  forbear. 
Solemnized  by  the  holy  memories  of  the  past,  animated  l)y  the  hope 
of  a yet  more  glorious  future,  and  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ, 
let  us  rouse  ourselves  anew  to  this  great  Avork  of  declaring  Christ 
to  Israel.  Let  us  unite  to  vindicate  the  truth  and  meekness  of  the 
gospel  from  the  prejudices  engendered  by  the  blasphemous  perver- 
sions, and  Avicked  relentless  persecutions,  of  an  apostate  Church. 
In  the  dear  and  mighty  name  of  the  risen  One,  let  us  prophecy  to 
the  dry  bones  that  they  may  live ; and  over  all  our  service  breathe 
the  spirit  of  Him  who  wept  over  J erusalem,  and  is  now  “ exalted  a 
Prince  and  a Saviour,  to  give  repentance  to  Israel  and  forgiveness 
of  sins.”  Then  shall  the  voice  of  the  Intercessor  within  the  veil, 
“ For  Zion’s  sake  Avill  I not  hold  my  peace,  and  for  Jerusalem’s 
sake  I Avill  not  rest,  until  the  righteousness  thereof  go  forth  as  bright- 
ness, and  the  salvation  thereof  as  a lamp  that  bumeth,”  be  an- 
swered by  the  cry  of  the  Lord’s  remembrancers  on  earth,  “ Oh, 
that  the  salvation  of  Israel  were  come  out  of  Zion !” 


V 


